Vegansandwool

Why Some Vegans Do Not Wear Wool

Many vegans quit eating meat, eggs, milk, honey, and yeast

for one very specific reason: they have a deep reverence

for all living things and subsequently want to prevent

all living things from suffering on their behalf.

This reverence for all living things drives some vegans

to what nonvegetarians might consider extremes. Some live

greatly restricted lives, but for a noble cause: to

prevent suffering and death wherever possible.

In addition to preventing death and suffering through

dietary selections, some vegans have vow to prevent it

in all other capacities.

For instance, some vegans do not wear wool because they

believe it contributes to animal suffering.

These vegans often cite how scientists have bred sheep

over the years to generate unnatural amounts of wool for

human needs. This breeding has resulted in the Merino

sheep of today, which often has enough wool to equal its

body weight.

As a result of this counter-evolutionary trait, the Merino

sheep that exists today often has far more wool than it

needs, which is evidenced by the high amount of sheep that

die of heat exhaustion. In addition to overheating

in hot temperatures, many sheep end up freezing to

death after they are sheared.

The wool shearing process can also cause quite a bit

of suffering for the sheep. Almost a quarter of all wool

sheared from sheep is "skin wool," which is so close to

the sheep’s skin that it is actually must be torn off.

If you currently are a vegetarian for ethical reasons,

take some time to consider whether or not wearing wool

compromises your commitment to end or at least stop

contributing to animal suffering.

For some vegetarians, wearing wool is just as bad as

eating meat; and for others, it simply isn’t an issue

because they do not believe it causes an unreasonable

amount of suffering. Which are you?