Vegans and veggies shouldn’t have kids as they argue ‘unneccessary suffering should be avoided’

By William On Jul 7, 2023

Finnish bioethicist and philosopher Joona Räsänen argued that, “logically”, the extreme views of veganism meant that moral vegans should also be antinatalists

Ethical vegans should refrain from having babies, one academic has controversially argued.

They believe that we should not eat meat, cheese and eggs or wear leather or fur because that causes unnecessary suffering to animals.

However, Finnish bioethicist and philosopher Joona Räsänen argued that ‘logically’ this extreme view meant that moral vegans should also be antinatalists.

For those who oppose human reproduction, living ultimately means suffering. But the movement doesn’t want people to die or commit suicide.

Mr. Räsänen shared his controversial opinion in a magazine, stating that all people ‘will suffer in life and that ‘having children is not necessary for a good life’.

He argued that ethical vegans “and probably vegetarians” should not start families “for the same reasons they believe we should not consume or use animal products.”

To enrol Theoretical Medicine and Bioethicshe added that “once they are aware of this conclusion, vegans should stop having children.”

Mr. Räsänen, of the Center for the Experimental Philosophical Study of Discrimination, at Aarhus University in Denmark, also pointed out some objections ethical vegans might have to his position.

Mr. Räsänen shared his controversial view in a diary, stating that all people ‘will suffer in life and that ‘having children is not necessary for a good life’. He argued that ethical vegans “and probably vegetarians” should not procreate “for the same reasons they believe we should not consume or use animal products”

For example, he rejected the argument that human lives are “pleasant and contain much good,” while the lives of “animals kept in factories are all bad.”

“The amount of good in a human’s life, compared to that of a pig, may not be that much greater after all,” argued Mr. Räsänen.

Many pleasurable experiences — including a good meal, deep conversation or sex — only last “a short time,” he said.

While painful experiences such as illness, loneliness or depression often last much longer, he said.

What is the difference between ethical veganism and dietary veganism?

Diet vegans and ethical vegans both eat a plant-based diet and avoid meat and other foods that come from animals, such as dairy products.

However, ethical vegans also strive to exclude all forms of animal exploitation beyond what they eat.

This includes not wearing wool or leather clothing and not using products tested on animals.

In 2020, an employment tribunal in Watford ruled in what was described as a “landmark ruling” that ethical veganism was a philosophical belief protected by law from discrimination.

Trying to refute a possible argument that “having children is necessary for a good human life, but factory farming is not,” he reasoned that “many ardent carnivores would say that eating meat is necessary for a good life” .

Mr. Räsänen wrote: ‘One could argue that no vegan burger can offer the same pleasures as a real beef burger.’

In his conclusion he added: ‘In this article I have argued that ethical veganism and antinatalism share the core assumption that pain and suffering are bad and should be avoided.

From this I have argued that ethical veganism and antinatalism go hand in hand and that ethical vegans should therefore not have children.

“If they make an exception to the rule and allow themselves to have children because they think it is necessary for a good life, then they should probably allow similar excuses to carnivores who think eating meat is necessary for a good life.

“Of course there might be ways to get out of this conclusion and I just haven’t figured it out yet…

“However, until proven otherwise, I think it’s best if ethical vegans refrain from having children.”

Interest in a plant-based diet has exploded in recent years, with vegans citing ethical, environmental or health reasons.

The exact number of vegans now in the UK is almost impossible to pin down.

But a recent survey suggested around 600,000 people currently follow a plant-based diet, while another in 2021 claimed nearly a third of Britons used alternative milks.

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Basic meals based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains

• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat muesli biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and a large baked potato with skin

• Provide dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options

• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which is fatty)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day

• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide