Bear's Gall

[Soju]

I just Googled this, and didn't like what I found.

Many species of bears in Asia have been hunted to endangerment for their gall bladders. Many bears in North America are now facing the same problem, their gall bladders being sent to Asia, where they command a very high price.

Many bears are kept caged, with catheters inserted into the gall bladder, to harvest their bile. Many of the sites I found claim that the process is painful and cruel.

Some researchers in Vietnam claim to have elevated this technique so that the bear is not put through any discomfort, but it's more involved, and undoubtedly more expensive.

[TheBo]

I don't think I'm as far in the show as you are, Soju--to what does this relate?

I agree, it's disturbing.

Bo

[Lucy]

Sangsik got beaten up the other day by Cho-hee's malefactor, and now his side hurts somethin awful. Yoonsik found some bear's gall in the fridge and had him take it. It's supposed to be good for excess "phlegm" (who knew they still subscribed to the four humours theory in Korea??), which he thought Sangsik had, but when he found out about the beating, he said it was good for bruises, too.

I'm glad it is very bitter and unpleasant tasting. Maybe that will deter people from using it. Probably not, though; it probably makes them think it's effective.

[galacticchick]

This was so upsetting. Teddy bears are for hugging, not taking out their gall bladders.

Oh, and there is no way you can make me believe that you can make a procedure like this any less uncomfortable. Think about it, if they are removing one of your organs, somehow I doubt there is a comfort factor at all to it.

Stupid human greed.

[TheBo]

Well, I suppose this humane method is similar to "farming" foie gras, which product is enjoying an upsurge in popularity in this country. First, you torture a goose or duck by force-feeding over a pound of food through a tube a day, to which the bird (obviously) objects--therefore, you must keep it secured at all times. You know, like they do to the poor little veals. They used to nail the bird to a wooden board, but I believe they use some sort of electric cage now. Anywho, foie gras is really, really delicious, so I don't know what everyone is getting so upset about. Those bears should give up their bile and be glad they can help us.

Bo

PS: Irony: ...(b) An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.

[galacticchick]

Oh...my...God I think I'm going to be sick.

[TheBo]

Yes, I think that's my point. I'm not a vegetarian, but this particular practice really corks me, and it's pissed me off ever since I found out about it when I was 17. And, at that time, the practice had been discontinued because it was inhumane. Apparently, our desires trump humane treatment at every turn.

Sorry for being a downer.

Bo