Why We Should Eat Dog Meat Be Acceptable
Should eating dog meat be acceptable?
Son T. Nguyen
Marshall University
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to address the controversial issue in regards to dog meat consumption. This paper takes a look at several of the published books, articles, and journals which either support or oppose the ongoing tradition of eating dog meat. I think that eating dog meat should be acceptable; therefore, I have used sources such as Oh & Jeffrey (2011) to support my argument. Dog meat consumption is an ongoing dietary tradition which has existed for centuries because of its well-defined flavor, healthful effects, and medicinal properties. Other articles, however, focus more on international animal rights and welfare. Animal rights activists …show more content…
have linked eating dog with animal cruelty. Therefore, they oppose of any regulations which imply that dog meat is acceptable. All things considered, an international ban on dog meat would more or less seem like an attempt by Westerners to force their cultural standards on others.
Should dog meat be acceptable?
Although some people may find it hard to believe, eating dog meat actually hasn’t been and isn’t a taboo in a lot of places in the world today.
Even though it is often looked down upon by Western societies, eating dog meat is a dietary tradition that has been around for generations in several countries used for health and medicinal purposes as well as to create a variety of unique cultural cuisines. While looking at the controversial issue of dog meat consumption, I support the argument that eating dog meat should be acceptable. If it is cooked properly, dog meat isn’t in any way harmful, and it causes no greater health risks than any other meat (Foer, 2009, …show more content…
¶4).
Hence, people who eat dog meat have several arguments in their favor. Consumers argue that as a dietary tradition, dog meat has been eaten for thousands of years. As a matter of fact, this dietary practice goes back to at least the fourth century CE in many Asian countries (Oh & Jeffrey, 2011, p.32). Not only is dog meat still eaten around the world today for its well-defined flavor, but also for its beneficial attributes. It is used especially for medicine by people in China and Korea. People in the Philippines on the other hand, usually eat it to overcome misfortune, while those in Nigeria use it to increase eroticism (Foer, 2009, ¶5).
Despite the fact that it is a cultural tradition, international pressure has created much debate over dog meat consumption, especially in Asian countries (Oh & Jackson, 2011, p.33). The controversy in regards to the practice of eating dog meat has developed a conflict between what is defined as the well-being of animals, and the different cultural dietary practices around the world (Oh & Jackson, 2011, P.48). In the dog meat case, international animal rights activists argue that dogs are not meat; the main reason being that they companion animals with substantial mental capacities. Therefore, animal rights activists link eating dog with animal cruelty and oppose of any regulations which imply that dog meat is acceptable (Oh & Jackson, 2011, p.46). Nevertheless, eating dog is no different from eating any other animal. That is to say, “no one should criticize another’s eating culture without considering their historical background”, said Hong –Shin Kim, a opposition member of Parliament, “It’s a traditional delicacy, just like snails, horse meat and even monkey brains in some other countries” (Oh & Jackson, 2001, p.44).
Compared to other types of meat such as beef or pork, a lot of people simply prefer eating dog meat for its well-defined flavor (Johnson, 1995, line 23-24). “The dogs eaten by people are raised specifically for that purpose, so I don’t feel any guilt”, explained Mr. Chung, who enjoys a restaurant meal of dog about once a month with friends. “I eat beef, pork, chicken, and all kinds of meat. Sometimes I want a special taste and that’s why I eat dog. The taste is different” (Wudunn, 1997, line 8).
Moreover, eating dog meat is not harmful; instead there are medicinal benefits linked to its consumption. Dog meat advocates claim that the meat has several healthful effects. Not only is dog meat used as a restorative medicine to treat illnesses, increase sexual desires, and improve skin conditions (Ng, 2002, line 5). As a culture with a long history in dog meat eating practices, Koreans are known to make a variety of healthful and nutritious soups by combining dog meat with herbs and spices to create invigorating tonics; which are known to enhance stamina. In addition, alcoholic beverages made from dog are used to fight arthritis and rheumatism as well as rejuvenate energy during the summer season (Oh & Jackson 2010, p. 40). In fact, it is believed to be the best cure for the summer heat (Kim, 2000, line 4).
In the Compendium of Materia Medica, the pharmaceutical expert Li Shizen of the Ming Dynasty (1308-1644) described dog meat as warm, nourishing, and especially good for the kidneys and stomach (Kuma, 2011,p.2). Likewise, South Korean nutritionist Ahn Young Geun, (who has be referred to as Dr. Dog meat), has even suggested that dog meat consumption be increased, because it offers up to three times as much calcium than other types of meat (Ng, 2002, line 10 ). Therefore, because of its nutritional value, dog meat is favorable for those suffering from illnesses or recovering from injuries.
After all, eating dog meat is an ongoing dietary tradition which has existed for centuries now. Because it is grounded in some countries’ historically rural aspects, several cultures have viewed dogs as food (Oh & Jackson, 2001, p.39). However, for most Westerners, on the other hand, the idea of eating dog meat is rather repulsive (Herzog, 2010, p.185). “This is a matter of cultural difference. It’s as simple as that. Westerners have eating practices that we cannot understand. We shouldn’t criticize each other regarding foods,” said Na Hyun-Woo (Kim, 2000, line 6).Of course, once a culture places a taboo on a certain type of meat, the idea of actually eating it becomes distasteful.
With this in mind, it is important to keep in consideration that some cultural values aren’t always consistent with others. The attitudes toward eating dog meat are still changing; therefore, the issue continues to create quite a bit of controversy. The debate in regards to dog meat consumption is based on mostly cultural differences and like most controversies; neither side can win without continuing opposition. As a result, strong international criticism has caused some countries to become even more protective of their cultural customs (Kim, 2000, line 5). Therefore, regardless of all the pressure and protests, dog meat consumption is not likely to cease anytime soon.
.
References
Foer, Jonathan. (2009) Eating Animals. New York: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Herzog, Hal. (2010) Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Johnson, Chris. (1995, December 11). Foreign Lives: Vietnam However it’s cooked, dog a favorite bite in Hanoi. The Globe and Mail (Canada).
Kim, Min-hee. (2000, July 22). Attitudes to dog-meat-eating changing, but issue still stirring up controversy. The Korea Herald. Ng, Hui Hui. (2002, June 30). Dog meat hot among Korea and China’s trendy youth; Animal-rights activists say it is a fad fuelled in part by a desire to rebel against Western criticism. The Straits Times (Singapore).
Oh, Minjoo.,& Jackson, Jeffrey. (2011). Animal Rights vs. Cultural Rights: Exploring the Dog Meat Debate in South Korea from a World Polity Perspective. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 32(1), 31-56 Sommer, Eric. (2011, April 25). Debate: Dog Meat. China Daily.
Wudunn, Sheryl. (1997, January 2). Seoul Journal; Where a Dog Can Be a Pet, or a Dining Experience. The New York Times.
.
Son T. Nguyen
Marshall University
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to address the controversial issue in regards to dog meat consumption. This paper takes a look at several of the published books, articles, and journals which either support or oppose the ongoing tradition of eating dog meat. I think that eating dog meat should be acceptable; therefore, I have used sources such as Oh & Jeffrey (2011) to support my argument. Dog meat consumption is an ongoing dietary tradition which has existed for centuries because of its well-defined flavor, healthful effects, and medicinal properties. Other articles, however, focus more on international animal rights and welfare. Animal rights activists …show more content…
have linked eating dog with animal cruelty. Therefore, they oppose of any regulations which imply that dog meat is acceptable. All things considered, an international ban on dog meat would more or less seem like an attempt by Westerners to force their cultural standards on others.
Should dog meat be acceptable?
Although some people may find it hard to believe, eating dog meat actually hasn’t been and isn’t a taboo in a lot of places in the world today.
Even though it is often looked down upon by Western societies, eating dog meat is a dietary tradition that has been around for generations in several countries used for health and medicinal purposes as well as to create a variety of unique cultural cuisines. While looking at the controversial issue of dog meat consumption, I support the argument that eating dog meat should be acceptable. If it is cooked properly, dog meat isn’t in any way harmful, and it causes no greater health risks than any other meat (Foer, 2009, …show more content…
¶4).
Hence, people who eat dog meat have several arguments in their favor. Consumers argue that as a dietary tradition, dog meat has been eaten for thousands of years. As a matter of fact, this dietary practice goes back to at least the fourth century CE in many Asian countries (Oh & Jeffrey, 2011, p.32). Not only is dog meat still eaten around the world today for its well-defined flavor, but also for its beneficial attributes. It is used especially for medicine by people in China and Korea. People in the Philippines on the other hand, usually eat it to overcome misfortune, while those in Nigeria use it to increase eroticism (Foer, 2009, ¶5).
Despite the fact that it is a cultural tradition, international pressure has created much debate over dog meat consumption, especially in Asian countries (Oh & Jackson, 2011, p.33). The controversy in regards to the practice of eating dog meat has developed a conflict between what is defined as the well-being of animals, and the different cultural dietary practices around the world (Oh & Jackson, 2011, P.48). In the dog meat case, international animal rights activists argue that dogs are not meat; the main reason being that they companion animals with substantial mental capacities. Therefore, animal rights activists link eating dog with animal cruelty and oppose of any regulations which imply that dog meat is acceptable (Oh & Jackson, 2011, p.46). Nevertheless, eating dog is no different from eating any other animal. That is to say, “no one should criticize another’s eating culture without considering their historical background”, said Hong –Shin Kim, a opposition member of Parliament, “It’s a traditional delicacy, just like snails, horse meat and even monkey brains in some other countries” (Oh & Jackson, 2001, p.44).
Compared to other types of meat such as beef or pork, a lot of people simply prefer eating dog meat for its well-defined flavor (Johnson, 1995, line 23-24). “The dogs eaten by people are raised specifically for that purpose, so I don’t feel any guilt”, explained Mr. Chung, who enjoys a restaurant meal of dog about once a month with friends. “I eat beef, pork, chicken, and all kinds of meat. Sometimes I want a special taste and that’s why I eat dog. The taste is different” (Wudunn, 1997, line 8).
Moreover, eating dog meat is not harmful; instead there are medicinal benefits linked to its consumption. Dog meat advocates claim that the meat has several healthful effects. Not only is dog meat used as a restorative medicine to treat illnesses, increase sexual desires, and improve skin conditions (Ng, 2002, line 5). As a culture with a long history in dog meat eating practices, Koreans are known to make a variety of healthful and nutritious soups by combining dog meat with herbs and spices to create invigorating tonics; which are known to enhance stamina. In addition, alcoholic beverages made from dog are used to fight arthritis and rheumatism as well as rejuvenate energy during the summer season (Oh & Jackson 2010, p. 40). In fact, it is believed to be the best cure for the summer heat (Kim, 2000, line 4).
In the Compendium of Materia Medica, the pharmaceutical expert Li Shizen of the Ming Dynasty (1308-1644) described dog meat as warm, nourishing, and especially good for the kidneys and stomach (Kuma, 2011,p.2). Likewise, South Korean nutritionist Ahn Young Geun, (who has be referred to as Dr. Dog meat), has even suggested that dog meat consumption be increased, because it offers up to three times as much calcium than other types of meat (Ng, 2002, line 10 ). Therefore, because of its nutritional value, dog meat is favorable for those suffering from illnesses or recovering from injuries.
After all, eating dog meat is an ongoing dietary tradition which has existed for centuries now. Because it is grounded in some countries’ historically rural aspects, several cultures have viewed dogs as food (Oh & Jackson, 2001, p.39). However, for most Westerners, on the other hand, the idea of eating dog meat is rather repulsive (Herzog, 2010, p.185). “This is a matter of cultural difference. It’s as simple as that. Westerners have eating practices that we cannot understand. We shouldn’t criticize each other regarding foods,” said Na Hyun-Woo (Kim, 2000, line 6).Of course, once a culture places a taboo on a certain type of meat, the idea of actually eating it becomes distasteful.
With this in mind, it is important to keep in consideration that some cultural values aren’t always consistent with others. The attitudes toward eating dog meat are still changing; therefore, the issue continues to create quite a bit of controversy. The debate in regards to dog meat consumption is based on mostly cultural differences and like most controversies; neither side can win without continuing opposition. As a result, strong international criticism has caused some countries to become even more protective of their cultural customs (Kim, 2000, line 5). Therefore, regardless of all the pressure and protests, dog meat consumption is not likely to cease anytime soon.
.
References
Foer, Jonathan. (2009) Eating Animals. New York: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Herzog, Hal. (2010) Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Johnson, Chris. (1995, December 11). Foreign Lives: Vietnam However it’s cooked, dog a favorite bite in Hanoi. The Globe and Mail (Canada).
Kim, Min-hee. (2000, July 22). Attitudes to dog-meat-eating changing, but issue still stirring up controversy. The Korea Herald. Ng, Hui Hui. (2002, June 30). Dog meat hot among Korea and China’s trendy youth; Animal-rights activists say it is a fad fuelled in part by a desire to rebel against Western criticism. The Straits Times (Singapore).
Oh, Minjoo.,& Jackson, Jeffrey. (2011). Animal Rights vs. Cultural Rights: Exploring the Dog Meat Debate in South Korea from a World Polity Perspective. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 32(1), 31-56 Sommer, Eric. (2011, April 25). Debate: Dog Meat. China Daily.
Wudunn, Sheryl. (1997, January 2). Seoul Journal; Where a Dog Can Be a Pet, or a Dining Experience. The New York Times.
.