How Easy Is It To Go Vegan?

Happy Cows Come From California, a current advertising slogan says. If you really want to make a cow happy, tell it "Moo moo moo moo", which roughly translates into "I have decided not to kill you, Ms. Cow."

I don't mind telling you, I am less and less inclined to eat meat. I know humans are omnivorous and nature is full of carnivores, but the longer I live the more disgusted I am at the thought of eating it. But I love cheese and other dairy products, even knowing that "Most cow's milk has measurable quantities of herbicides, pesticides, dioxins (up to 200 times the safe levels), up to 52 powerful antibiotics (perhaps 53, with LS-50), blood, pus, feces, bacteria and viruses" Oh, yum.

I kind of prefer leather shoes over man-made products, too, but I still hate the thought of eating animals.

It's hard to give up killing to make our lives a little better. Still, what are we giving up besides meat (and mad cow disease) when we spare our bovine friends from the slaughterhouse? Dig this staggering list of products made from cattle:

GENERAL MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS

• antibodies (immunoglobins)
  
• beef insulin
  
• bovine collagen - used as injections to fill in scars
  
• bovine fibrinolysin (brand name- Elase) ointment for necrotic tissue
  
• bovine super oxide - dismutase cream (Orgotein) - cosmetic skin cream to prevent tissue aging.
  
• bovine thrombin (brand name- Thrombinar) clotting agent for blood culture medium - diagnosis
  
• fetal bovine serum - tissue cultures
  
• Hyaluronidase - efficient drug use
  
• PTH - control tetany
  
• pegademase - bovine derivative (brand name- Adagen) - for patients who are immune-compromised...helps prevent white blood cells from breaking down.
  
• pill capsules - GELATIN
  
• whole serum - vaccine manufacturing


PRODUCTS FROM OVARIES

• estrogen
  
• progesterone - a reproductive hormone
  
  PRODUCT FROM STOMACHS
  
• pepsin - aid in protein digestion
  
• rennet - aid in milk digestion


PRODUCTS FROM THYROIDS

• bovine thyroid (Thyrar) a thyroid replacement
  
• TSH - thyroid diagnosis
  
• thyroid extract - hypothrodism
  
• thyroid hormones
  
• myxedema
  
• cretinism


PRODUCTS FROM ADRENALS

• cortisone - for arthritis, skin allergies, anti-inflammatory medicine
  
• epinephrine - aid in raising blood pressure, heart disorders, and allergies


PRODUCTS FROM LIVERS

• heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents gangrene
  
• liver extract - treatment of anemia
  
• intrinsic factor - pernicious anemia
  
• Vitamin B12 - prevention of B-complex deficiencies


PRODUCTS FROM LUNGS

• heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents gangrene


PRODUCTS FROM BLOOD

• plasma protein
  
• blood albumin - RH factor typing
  
• Fraction I - hemophilia
  
• Fraction V - kills viruses
  
• iron for anemia
  
• thrombin - blood coagulant
  
• protein extracts
  
• diagnostic microbiology


PRODUCTS FROM HOG HEARTS

• heart valves for human transplant


PRODUCTS FROM INTESTINES

• medical sutures - surgery


PRODUCTS FROM BONES

• bone marrow - blood disorders
  
• bone meal - calcium and phosphorous source
  
• mineral source in supplements
  
• collagen and bone for plastic surgery
  
• soft cartilage - plastic surgery
  
• xiphisternal cartilage (breastbone) plastic surgery


PRODUCTS FROM PANCREAS

• chymotrypsin - contact surgery
  
• diastase - aid in starch digestion
  
• glucagon - treat hypoglycemia
  
• insulin - diabetes mellitus
  
• pancreatin - aid digestion
  
• trypsin - for burns, wounds, and infection - promotes healing - aid in protein
  
• digestion and in cleaning wounds


PRODUCTS FROM PITUITARY GLANDS

• ACTH - arthritis, allergies, rheumatic fever, skin and eye inflammations
  
• pressor hormone - regulates blood pressure
  
• prolactin - promotes lactation
  
• vasopressin - controls intestinal and renal functions


PRODUCTS FROM SPINAL CORDS

• cholesterol - hormone products


OTHER MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS

• nitroglycerine
  
• antibodies (immunoglobins)
  
• beef insulin
  
• bovine collagen - used as injections to fill in scars
  
• bovine fibrinolysin (Elase - brand name) ointment for use on necrotic tissue
  
• bovine super oxide - dismutase cream (Orgotein) - cosmetic skin cream to prevent tissue aging
  
• bovine thrombin (Thrombinar - brand name) clotting agent for blood
  
• culture medium - diagnosis
  
• fetal bovine serum - tissue cultures
  
• Hyaluronidase - efficient drug use
  
• PTH - control tetany
  
• pegademase - bovine derivative (Adagen - brand name) -- for patients who are immuno-compromised - helps prevent white blood cells from breaking down.
  
• pill capsules - GELATIN
  
• whole serum - vaccine manufacturing


*** GENERAL FOOD PRODUCTS ***

PRODUCTS FROM CATTLE, SHEEP, HOG FLESH

• a huge variety of fresh, frozen, and pre-cooked meats
  
• and prepared and processed meat products


PRODUCTS FROM MILK/DAIRY

• butter
  
• casein (proteins)
  
• cheese and cheese products
  
• cream
  
• food ethanol
  
• ice cream and ice cream mixes
  
• lactose (carbohydrates)
  
• milk powder
  
• sherbet
  
• whey (proteins)
  
• fats (lipids)
  
• yogurt


PRODUCTS FROM FATS AND FATTY ACIDS (edible)

• chewing gum
  
• lard
  
• oleo margarine
  
• oleo shortening
  
• oleostearin
  
• pharmaceuticals
  
• rennet for cheese (sheep)
  
• rennet for cheese (sheep)
  
• shortening


PRODUCTS FROM BLOOD

• blood sausage
  
• bone meal
  
• cake mixes
  
• deep-fry batters
  
• egg substitute
  
• gravy mixes
  
• imitation seafood
  
• pasta
  
• whipped toppings and coffee whiteners


PRODUCTS FROM BONES

• whitener in refined sugar


PRODUCTS FROM BONE, HORNS, AND HOOVES

• gelatin capsules
  
• gelatin deserts
  
• ice cream, malts and shakes
  
• marshmallow
  
• potted meats


PRODUCTS FROM INTESTINES

• sausage casings


PRODUCTS FROM HIDES and SKINS

• sausage casings
  
• gelatin
  
• candies and confectionery
  
• flavorings
  
• foods
  
• gelatin desserts
  
• ice cream
  
• marshmallows
  
• mayonnaise
  
• yogurt



*** INDUSTRIAL AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS ***

PRODUCTS FROM MILK

• adhesives
  
• animal feed
  
• buttons
  
• carriers for human medicine
  
• cosmetics
  
• glue
  
• pharmaceuticals
  
• sizing
  
• specialty plastics
  
• veterinary medicines


PRODUCTS FROM BLOOD

• adhesives
  
• bone marrow
  
• bone meal
  
• fabric printing and dyeing
  
• leather-treating agents
  
• livestock feed
  
• minerals
  
• plaster retardant
  
• plywood adhesive
  
• diagnostic microbiology
  
• from colloidal proteins - glue for automobile bodies
  
• protein source in feeds
  
• sticking agent
  
• textile sizing


PRODUCTS FROM BONES

• bone charcoal
  
• pencils
  
• high grade steel
  
• bone handles
  
• bone jewelry
  
• mineral source in feed
  
• fertilizer
  
• dried bones
  
• buttons
  
• bone china
  
• glass
  
• porcelain enamel
  
• water filters
  
• whitener in refined sugar


PRODUCTS FROM BONE, HORNS, AND HOOVES

• adhesives
  
• bandage strips
  
• collagen cold cream
  
• cellophane wrap and tape
  
• crochet needles
  
• dice
  
• dog biscuits
  
• emery boards and cloth
  
• fertilizer
  
• glycerine
  
• laminated wood products
  
• neatsfoot oil
  
• photographic film
  
• plywood and paneling
  
• shampoo and conditioner
  
• wallpaper and wallpaper paste
  
• syringes


PRODUCTS FROM BRAINS

• anti-aging cream
  
• cholesterol


PRODUCTS FROM FATS AND FATTY ACIDS (edible and inedible)

• animal foods
  
• biodegradable detergents
  
• biodiesel
  
• cellophane
  
• cement
  
• ceramics
  
• chalk
  
• chemicals
  
• cosmetics
  
• crayons
  
• creams and lotions (sheep)
  
• deodorants
  
• detergents
  
• explosives
  
• fertilizer
  
• fiber softeners
  
• floor wax
  
• glycerin
  
• glycerol
  
• antifreeze
  
• herbicides
  
• horse and livestock feeds
  
• industrial oils and lubricants
  
• insecticides
  
• insulation
  
• linoleum
  
• livestock feed
  
• lubricants
  
• makeup
  
• matches
  
• medicines
  
• mink oil
  
• nitroglycerine
  
• oil polishes
  
• ointment bases
  
• oleostearin
  
• paints
  
• paraffin
  
• perfumes
  
• pet foods
  
• pharmaceuticals
  
• plasticizers
  
• plastics
  
• printing rollers
  
• protein hair conditioner
  
• protein hair shampoo
  
• putty
  
• rubber products
  
• shaving cream
  
• shoe cream
  
• soaps
  
• solvents
  
• stearic acid (sheep)
  
• tallow for tanning
  
• textiles
  
• tires
  
• water proofing agents
  
• weed killers


PRODUCTS FROM GALLSTONES

• ornaments


PRODUCTS FROM HAIR

• air filters
  
• artist's paint brush
  
• felt and rug padding
  
• insulation material
  
• non-wovens
  
• plastering material
  
• textiles
  
• upholstering material


PRODUCTS FROM HIDES and SKINS

• belts
  
• collagen-based adhesives (from trimmings)
  
• bandages
  
• emery boards
  
• glues -for papermaking, bookbinding, cabinetmaking
  
• sheetrock
  
• wallpaper
  
• drum head (sheep)
  
• pharmaceuticals
  
• photographic materials
  
• leather sporting goods
  
• leather wearing apparel
  
• luggage
  
• pigskin garments, gloves, and shoes
  
• porcine burn dressings for burn victims
  
• shoes and boots
  
• upholstery
  
• wallets


PRODUCTS FROM HOOVES AND HORNS

• chessmen
  
• combs
  
• buttons
  
• fertilizer
  
• horn handles
  
• imitation ivory
  
• inedible bone meal
  
• livestock feeds
  
• ornaments
  
• piano keys
  
• plant food


PRODUCTS FROM INTESTINES

• instrument strings
  
• sausage casings
  
• tennis racquet strings


PRODUCTS FROM MANURE

• fertilizer - used in gardens, lawns and farm cropland
  
• nitrogen
  
• potash
  
• phosphorus
  
• minor minerals


OTHER PRODUCTS FROM CATTLE SOURCES

• airplane lubricants and runway foam
  
• car polishes and waxes
  
• hydraulic brake fluid
  
• Stearic acid - helps rubber in tires hold shape under steady surface
  
• friction
  
• steel ball bearings containing bone charcoal
  
• textiles for car upholstery
  
• various machine oils and viscous fluids


PRODUCTS FROM WOOL

• asphalt binder
  
• carpet
  
• clothing
  
• cosmetics
  
• fabrics
  
• felt
  
• insulation
  
• lanolin
  
• medical ointments
  
• paint and plaster binder
  
• pelt products
  
• rouge base
  
• rug pads
  
• upholstery
  
• woolen goods
  
• worsted fabric
  
• yarns

If you made it this far, it's a good time to point out that there are some mighty good uses for soy and hemp.