[Jimbee (OP)]

You know, my view of death, much like my view of morality, has evolved over the years. Oh, I like to think there has always been a common thread, running through my life, on moral and political matters. But quite frankly, on a personal level, death used to really scare me when I was younger. Dead bodies in particular. Now, I see a dead body. And sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't.

Anyways, my view on respect for the dead, is not surprisingly, pragmatic, like I am, and like I've always been, I think. And it centers around respect for people's rights and final wishes. If a person wants to donate their body to science, why not? And in the United States, you'll get the ashes back in a year. Did you know that? And it's always free.

I remember an ethics class I took, when I was going to community college, in Fall of 1996. Our teacher pointed out the fact that some cultures eat their deceased. That's called necrophagy. I'd probably loose my lunch if I saw it too. But if that's what people want, what the heck? Our teacher even pointed out, people who observe this practice actually say how beautiful it is. Why put Grandma or Grandpa in the cold hard ground? If you eat Grandma, Grandpa or Great Aunt Beulah, they'll be a part of you always. That's true you know. Of course I think that's illegal in most parts of the US. So I guess you should probably check with the Sheriff's department, if you want to do it here.

And what about necrophilia? I agree that is usually wrong. But what if the person wills it that way? I was reading this interesting article, ironically in a porno magazine, when I was still in HS. This man had necrophilic fantasies, but he never acted upon them. But you know, his wife supported him. And she told him, listen, when I die, I'd love for you to do that to me. It would be my final gift to you in fact. What do you all think about that?

Anyways, respect for the dead is an evolving topic in the western world. In the not-to-distant past, using cadavers for medical research was very taboo. No one even talks about that anymore. As I said once on another message board, the ancient Pharoahs of Egypt thought embalming them would assure their entry into the afterlife. No, they were obviously wrong. But what do you think they'd think that King Tut is now in a museum? And in the 19th century, they had Mummy "undressing" parties, for goodness sake. Plus does anyone really care about old cemetaries? I find that last one even sad. Though really don't know why.

In Japan they are running out room for their dead. So respect for their dead is actually causing a serious problem there. And the rights of the living should always precede the rights of the dead. Don't you agree?

Thoughts?

[alancalverd]

AFAIK the dead have no rights, but humanity requires that we should at least try to respect the wishes of the living with regard to how to dispose of their eventual corpse. In UK law a corpse has no owner, so "last wishes" is the best guide as to what to do next, and in the absence of any such instruction, convention leaves it to the next of kin, then the local authority in whose parish the corpse was found.

[paul cotter]

Necrophagy in New Guiney led to the transmission of kuru, a spongieform encephalopathy.

[Bored chemist]

Necrophagy in New Guiney led to the transmission of kuru, a spongieform encephalopathy.

... allegedly...
Some reports say that they got stories about "The evil tribe on the other side of the hill actually eat the body; we reverentially cut it up, worship the bits and then bury them.".
It's not easy to know but, it is fair to say that eating dead people is a bad move.

[paul cotter]

I think the pathology of kuru and it's mode of transmission are fairly well determined. I have not heard any conflicting evidence. It is now considered to have been wiped out.

[Petrochemicals]

 

Necrophagy in New Guiney led to the transmission of kuru, a spongieform encephalopathy.

People are not going to get diseases from polishing off aunt Vera with some boiled spuds, people do not tend to die in a short enough time span, unless of course they are killed by a disease. Its unlikely that anyone with sickness will be consumed. Cannybulls however tend do polish people off far more often.

Cannibalism is still practiced in Africa for black magic reasons, albinos in parts of Africa have a valid reason for seeking asylum, as they are in serious threat of being eaten. Black magic is also a driver of animal part consumption, along with strange quisine choices offer culinary delights and biological hazards, especially considering the genetic proximity of the monkeys and apes to man.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_brains

I do realise the article states "supposed" but if people can eat bird saliva soup, rhino horn and eat albinos, chances are chimp brain is on the cards.

[alancalverd]

Black magic is also a driver of animal part consumption

And I thought it was just a matter of survival. Anyone for a voodoo steak? Leg of sacrificial lamb?

Interestingly, markets in the East End of London used only to sell whole chickens (don't know if they still do - it's been a while) which had to be gutted in front of the customer. Somewhere in Leviticus is a passage about inspecting the liver to check that the bird was healthy and slaughtered, not just diseased. I think we can distinguish between kosher and magic.

[Bored chemist]

Cannibalism is still practiced in Africa for black magic reasons

"The evil tribe on the other side of the hill actually eat the body

Snap!

Incidentally, thanks for pointing out that it wasn't white magic.

[paul cotter]

Petro, a diseased brain was often eaten due to the very long incubation period of kuru, in common with other spongieform encephalopathies. Alancalverd seems to be reading his bible these days, hmm?!.

[alancalverd]

Alancalverd seems to be reading his bible these days, hmm?!.

I'll consider that an unintended insult, my friend!
I despise religion but it is important to understand what believers think, and how their beliefs evolved.

[Petrochemicals]

Black magic is also a driver of animal part consumption

And I thought it was just a matter of survival. Anyone for a voodoo steak? Leg of sacrificial lamb?

Interestingly, markets in the East End of London used only to sell whole chickens (don't know if they still do - it's been a while) which had to be gutted in front of the customer. Somewhere in Leviticus is a passage about inspecting the liver to check that the bird was healthy and slaughtered, not just diseased. I think we can distinguish between kosher and magic.

Tiger bones, rhino horn?

They used to sell supermarket Chickens complete with giblets in neat packages on a tray with plastic wrap about 20 years ago, if you forgot to remove them they created a bit of a mess. They sell ducks in France where the butcher fillets the liver for you and that's all you take away, the more unhealthy the better.

[Petrochemicals]

Petro, a diseased brain was often eaten due to the very long incubation period of kuru, in common with other spongieform encephalopathies. Alancalverd seems to be reading his bible these days, hmm?!.

Maybe, but it seems more likely that they are eating enemies regularly than friends. AIDS HIV is thought to come from eating chimps.

[alancalverd]

They used to sell supermarket Chickens complete with giblets in neat packages on a tray with plastic wrap about 20 years ago,

And it was sometimes interesting to find two hearts and no liver in the package. Not kosher, or even probable!

[Bored chemist]

AIDS HIV is thought to come from eating chimps.

That's one possibility.
But cooking will inactivate HIV which leads to the idea that other interactions may have been involved.

[paul cotter]

 Indeed BC, you are quite correct. However owing to the intended family friendly ethos of this forum I think we should refrain from detailing such practices.

[Bored chemist]

Indeed BC, you are quite correct. However owing to the intended family friendly ethos of this forum I think we should refrain from detailing such practices.

Guess why I didn't...

[Petrochemicals]

Indeed BC, you are quite correct. However owing to the intended family friendly ethos of this forum I think we should refrain from detailing such practices.

Are you saying that they didn't cook their family/friends properly, aunt Vera medium rare.?

[paul cotter]

Alancalverd, I would never intentionally insult your good self, god forbid!!