Dec 31, 2011 - ST Forum
SINGAPORE is changing. Our society is becoming more
compassionate towards animals.
Laws protect domesticated animals from abuse and wild animals
from being trafficked. People rescue abandoned animals, such as
cats, from shelters and provide them with loving homes.
People question the serving of shark's fin soup on special
occasions, such as wedding dinners. Zoo animals are no longer
forced to give unnatural performances. Restaurants offer more
vegetarian options on their menus.
Indeed, in increasing numbers, people recognise that animals are
thinking, feeling beings deserving of respect. This shift towards
greater compassion by Singapore's Government, people and businesses
makes it all the more disturbing to see the Healthy Dining series,
on Wednesdays on MediaCorp's Channel 8. The series is shot in
China, with the goal of teaching the audience about healthy
ingredients and how to prepare them.
However, some of these ingredients are animals, such as snakes
and guinea pigs. For example, in the show about snakes, the hosts
visit a snake farm and play with a snake. Not long after, we see
stir-fried snake served on a plate, snake in a soup and a skinned
snake. In this way, the show promotes the consumption of exotic
animal parts for their alleged 'healing properties' and may whet
appetites for exotic game meat among viewers.
In Healthy Dining, the animals are viewed only as objects of
entertainment and nutrition for humans. Where, please, is the shift
towards greater compassion for animals that we are seeing elsewhere
in Singapore society?
Louis Ng
Executive Director
Animal Concerns, Research and Education Society
(Acres)
Dr George Jacobs
President
Vegetarian Society (Singapore)
Jennifer Lee (Ms)
Coordinator
Project: FIN
Just because your ancester decide somewhere long ago to breed
snakes and rats for comsumption instead of chicken and pigs -
so guess now - Louis will be tell you that chicken and pigs
are exotic animals - cannot eat - but it is ok to eat snakes and
rats !!!!
