Comments on: Greed and biodiversity

By: marguerite white

marguerite white — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:35:13 +0000

It is a vile practice,bears shouldnt have to put up with humans extreme digestive systems.Nor should any animal.

By: Crunchynut

Crunchynut — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:52:07 +0000

Fuchsia, you should research on bear farming in China…

By: James

James — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:28:28 +0000

I’m quite adventurous in what I eat, having tried things like rattlesnake, alligator, crocodile, zebra, etc… As well as trying durian in Bangkok and scorpion in Beijing. But I try to avoid eating endangered species, and species as smart or smarter than humans (this therefore excludes whales, dolphins, cats, and people.)

If you are concerned, I highly recommend the Seafood Watch, sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Admittedly, their guides are US-centric, but ocean fishing is globalized, the tuna caught off Gibralter is flown to Tokyo, so I view the recommendations on the species as global. (And, perhaps with some global queries, they may publish an International guide.)

By: Fuchsia

Fuchsia — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:02:37 +0000

Thanks for the link, Rebecca!

By: Rebecca @ Inside Cuisine

Rebecca @ Inside Cuisine — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:28:35 +0000

Fuschia, sorry I missed your session at the World Food Conference as I was in the other stream.

Retaining diversity is an important issue for the world – thanks for bringing it to peoples’ attention. You’re so right though, there are also many other challenges in food ethics, and sustainability let alone health. I’m a great supporter in a move back to fresh seasonal local. PS just linked your blog to my site. @frombecca

By: Susannah

Susannah — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:57:43 +0000

Oh my goodness. I had no idea exactly how much likeness it would have to, well, a live bear’s paw!

By: kaiserhornet

kaiserhornet — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:42:54 +0000

I would eat most things but even I would pass on this, duck wings, yum

By: Fuchsia

Fuchsia — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:48:35 +0000

Susannah – I’ve added a picture of bear’s paw to my post…

By: Susannah

Susannah — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:21:23 +0000

Fuschia,
I am a Chinese-American food writer who just finished your memoir. I was so inspired by it, and your story — and don’t get me started on the writing. The first thing I thought when I finished it was, I can’t wait to send this to my mother! Anyway, I know it’s not kosher, but I’m still dying to see what a braised bear claw really looks like.

By: alex

alex — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:01:41 +0000

The sourcing of any ingredients from China at this moment in time seems ethically problematic. As a bipolar person myself, my love of all things Chinese and my passion for the Chinese supermarket have kind of disappeared. The bear, its paw, and the refusal to hypothetically eat it is a minor point.