Comments Related To: Beijing latest Gourmet Craze: Seal Penis

This kind of Chinese appetite makes me sick! I do not judge eating strange things, but China in general has proven to have a total lack of respect for and lack of intelligent approach toward the environment. This of course does not apply to the entire population, but the fact that the culture in general allows this is pathetic, selfish, ignorant and repulsive. I do not deny other types of environmental ignorance in the US, but this problem doesn't exist in the US.

Dennis Gray from The Associated Press wrote a great article about this in April of 2004 titled "Asia's wildlife hunted for China's appetite - Beliefs about health and sex drive the destruction" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4585068/). Gray explains "the trade network that funnels fauna and flora from across the region to satisfy a seemingly insatiable demand in China." He describes how "parts of vanishing species from Southeast Asia's forests are laid out for Chinese buyers seeking sex boosters, cures for cancer and exotic food." He also notes that "with China's growing affluence, more can afford exotic wildlife dishes once served only at banquets of the elite." The fact that China has overpopulated it's own country increases demand further.

Apparently the Chinese government is trying curb the trade but obviously not enough. It's the tradition culture that feeds the demand. Gray warns "ecologists agree the current harvest is unsustainable and will inevitably lead to the eradication of species." Clearly the Chinese are unwilling to evolve their way of thinking and prefer to blindly follow traditional culture despite a changing world and fragile eco-system. China's superstitions in this regard are nonsensical especially since it's the 21st Century and science can disprove these notions.

Shame on you China for allowing and encouraging an appetite for endangered or outlawed wildlife! I consider this necessary judgment ( eg like judging our own country for dependence on oil, overconsumption, etc.). I will not buy anything from China nor visit the country again until this stops.