An Ethical Decision: Should Vegans and Vegetarians Take Medications?

Vegans and vegetarians sometimes struggle with the ethical decision of whether to take medications that were produced through animal exploitation. This article suggests a life-affirming, pro-animal approach.

Vegans and Vegetarians Must Choose Animal Exploitation or Health

The decision to take medication almost always says "yes" to animal exploitation. The discovery of life-saving drugs like insulin, heparin, and others has depended on animal research.

Before 1982, when the first synthetic insulin became available, diabetic vegans and vegetarians had to use insulin from beef and pork sources or die.

Heparin is made from the tissues of slaughtered pigs and cows. One vegan mom (Montyruth) had to decide whether to respect her 15-year-old vegan daughter's animal exploitation concerns or force her to accept prescribed deep vein thrombosis treatment. Other vegans and vegetarians have also refused life-saving heparin therapy.

Nearly all medications in capsule form are made from gelatin from the bones, skin, and tissues of animals. The non-animal alternative is too expensive for common use.

I have cited only a few examples of animal exploitation in medicine but it occurs during the research and development of almost every therapy.

The good news is that the overwhelming majority of animals killed are used for food (96 to 99%) and only a small percentage is used for medical research.

Setting a Good Example Reduces Animal Exploitation

Matt Ball makes the point that vegans and vegetarians who can influence others to reduce animal consumption can make a huge impact on animal exploitation and suffering.

To influence others, Matt says, "We have to be the opposite of the vegan stereotype. Regardless of the sorrow and outrage we rightly feel at the cruelties the animals suffer, we must strive to be what others want to be: joyful, respectful individuals, whose fulfilling lives inspire others. Only then can we do our best for the animals."

Vegans and vegetarians who refuse to take life-saving medications would almost surely be seen in a negative light by meat eaters and could do little to further the acceptance of a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

My Personal Ethical Decision

I decided to become a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) about 34 years ago because of my love for animals.

When possible, I choose products that are not produced by the killing of or exploitation of animals. I only buy local eggs and milk and cheese from sources that I verify do not take part in the cruel practices of factory farms.

Though I don't eat dead animals, I buy them to feed my three dogs and I try to make the kindest choices in that regard.

I cannot evaluate the history of every ingredient in every product I buy and I am likely guilty of buying products that are produced through animal exploitation but I do my best to avoid it.

To make the ethical decision of whether or not to take medications that were developed through animal exploitation, I asked myself one question. Could I kill an animal that was attempting to harm me or my loved one? The answer is "Yes." Though I deeply regret that animals suffer for medical science, I would sacrifice the life of an animal to save my life or a loved one's life. I will take medication when it is necessary.

Summary

Whether we like it or not, animal exploitation will continue to occur in almost every area of science. To evaluate the possibility of animal exploitation occurring in the development of every product we use would be impossible. The most ethical decision for anyone, not just vegans and vegetarians, is to cause as little suffering as possible. A sane, well-adjusted vegan or vegetarian may make a big impact by influencing others to give up meat. However, refusing to take medication that could save one's health would likely make that person appear mentally imbalanced to the rest of the world and the vegan or vegetarian diet might be blamed.

Sources:

My education as a registered pharmacist and my experiences as an animal lover and vegetarian.

Montyruth. An Ethical Crisis Here: Advice Urgently Needed [Non-vegan Medication]. Veggie Boards.

Andrew Nicholson. Diabetes: Can a Vegan Diet Reverse Diabetes? Your Health.

Matt Ball. How Vegan? Ingredients vs. Results. Vegan Outreach.

No author given. U. S. Statistics for Food Animals. Compassion Over Killing.