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PETA's newest idea: Mama's milk ice cream cone, anyone?
Animal rights group asks Ben & Jerry's to use breast milk
By John Curran
Associated Press
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WATERBURY, Vt. -- Mooove over, Holsteins. PETA wants world-famous Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to tap nursing moms, rather than cows, for the milk used in its ice cream.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking the ice cream maker to begin using breast milk in its products instead of cow's milk, saying it would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.

The idea got a cool reception Thursday from Ben & Jerry's officials, the company's customers and even La Leche League International, the world's oldest breast-feeding support organization, which promotes the practice - for babies, anyway.

PETA wrote a letter to company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on Tuesday, telling them cow's milk is hazardous and that milking them is cruel.

"If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers - and cows - would reap the benefits," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of the animal rights advocacy group. She said dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and obesity.

Ashley Byrne, a campaign coordinator for PETA, acknowledged the implausibility of substituting breast milk for cow's milk, but said it's no stranger than humans consuming the milk of another species.

"We're aware this idea is somewhat absurd, and that putting it into practice is a stretch. At the time same, it's pretty absurd for us to be drinking the milk of cows," she said.

It takes about 12 pounds - or 1 1/2 gallons of milk - to make a gallon of ice cream. Ben & Jerry's, which gets its milk exclusively from Vermont cows, won't say how much milk it uses or how much ice cream it sells.

As a standardized product under federal regulations, ice cream must be made with milk from healthy cows. Ice cream made from goat's milk, for example, would have to be labeled as such.

Presumably, so would mother's milk ice cream.

To Ben & Jerry's, the idea is udderly ridiculous.

"We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," spokesman Sean Greenwood said in an e-mail. He didn't respond to requests for an interview.

Leon Berthiaume, general manager of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, which provides milk products to Ben & Jerry's, called the dairy products "among the safest in the world."

"Milk from cows has long-term health benefits and has been proven to be safe and healthy and an important part of the American diet for generations," he said. "I'm not ready to make that change."

Cow's milk and mother's milk aren't interchangeable, according to La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse, who says breast milk is a dynamic substance that's different with each woman and each child and might have difficulty being processed into ice cream.

Then there's the question of who would provide the milk, and whether they'd be paid.

"Some women feel compelled to donate milk to a milk bank for adopted babies, or for someone who's ill or unable to breast feed. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence about sisters who nurse each others' babies. There's a population of women very willing to share their milk. Whether there's enough to do it for a commercial entity, who can say?" she said.

At the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, consumers gave a collective "Ehttp://www" to the idea Thursday.

"It's kind of creepy," said Jeff Waugh, 42, of Dayton, Ohio.

"I think it's a little nutty," said the Rev. Roger Wooton, 83, of Malden, Mass., finishing up a cup of Heath Bar Crunch.

"How would they get all that milk?" said his wife, Jane Wooton, 77.

Jen Wahlbrink, 34, of Phoenix, who breast-fed her 11-month-old son, Cameron, said she wouldn't touch ice cream made from mother's milk. She remembers her nursing days - and not that fondly.

"The (breast) pumps just weren't that much fun. You really do feel like a cow," she said, cradling her son in her hands.

Take a look
A youngster battles with an ice cream cone in front of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop in Montpelier, Vt., in August 2006. The Virginia-based nonprofit group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to consider making human breast milk instead of cow's milk in their products. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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Reader comments on this story - 126 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

juan wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:53 PM:

" I have to admit, the idea is titillating. "

irishman wrote on Oct 10, 2008 1:10 PM:

" I think these people from PETA missed a few breast feedings. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:44 PM:

" Something to think about? Lection 38 "

anchor wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:04 AM:

" lillehoff - I don't care what your affiliations are, lillehoff. Your inference that my wearing leather shoes and eating cheese burgers makes me a crack-pot is telling enough. Do you suppose we are more or less cruel to animals now as compared to biblical times? Perspective is keys, bleeding heart. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:27 AM:

" Cocoa: I definitely agree. I think they should can the chicken suits along with a lot of other things. I'm sure porn stars can be animal rights advocates same as anybody but to have them for spokespeople just doesn't sit well with the masses. I don't like a lot of their tactics either. Thats why I'm not a member. "

cocoa wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:28 PM:

" mdorf4 - cows are good for leather too. :)

fasteddie - I mostly agree with your posts and, maybe because I do have vegans in my family and have read a lot of the information they have, I understand what goes on in those big farms and factories. I also have a family member that has worked at a slaughterhouse his entire life. I will say I stand by God giving humans animals for our use, but I cannot say humans should abuse those animals, which is what happens at many of those farms. I wish more people could actually see what happens at them. I've cut back on how much meat I eat, what kind of meat I eat, and no longer buy fur and shearling. But I still don't like PETA's tactics. I think there are better ways for them to get their point across and educate and if they want to further their cause, they need donations. They would likely be more successful in that regard if they toned down the over-the-top campaigns. Do you agree? "

lillehoff wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:36 PM:

" Anchor, note this: I am not a PETA member, nor am I in support of some of the things they have done, BUT...I do believe that more can be done about the cruelities that exist when it comes to the animals of the world that God has placed in our care. That would include factory farms, circus's, rodeos, etc, etc.
PETA is not the only animal rights organization, yet they take far more heat from people, such as yourself, than they deserve.
Ghandi was an honorable and reverred man and I found his quote to be a profound truth. It's too bad that you have taken such offense to PETA's campaign to raise awareness of the cruelities subjected to the animals we hold dominion over. My definition of "dominion", however appears to differ from yours.
I find it pathetic that you would stoop to the level of taking a verse such as this from the Bible and use it to try to justify man's cruelty, neglect and utter disrespect for the animals that have provided you with sustenance. "

mdorf4 wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:37 PM:

" fasteddie
What did I say that proved anyone's point? I said cows are good for milk and meat. If you can come up with something else they are useful for, aside from bull fights and rodeos (which I don't imagine you care for, either), let me know. My point is the breed has no other reason for existence. As for bebop's question of what makes a cow less worthy, there are several things. Cows are less intelligent. Cows are less affectionate. Cows would break my couch if they sat on it. Cows cannot be trained to use a litter box. Cows won't play with the light from the laser pointer. Need I go on? "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:05 PM:

" anchor: I interpret the "If The Shoe Fits" comment differently. To me it means it is whatever you think it is. It's your decision. Only you know the answer.
You seem to be lumping everyone who finds the factory farms of today appalling, with PETA. I'm not a PETA member. I know they have done some good things but I know they're over the top on lots of things too. They're not serious about the breast milk thing but lots of people think they are. I don't think that helps their cause. I'm not a member of any animal rights organization but I don't need to be to know what we do to animals is a out and out crime. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:42 PM:

" Middle Of The Road: There are over 200 animal welfare organizations in the United States but all anyone hears is PETA PETA PETA. The Humane Society Of The United States were they ones that spearheaded the drive to ban horse slaughter, not PETA. I'm sure PETA was all for the ban but then so were the other 200. If you think these are all old decrepit swayback horses going to slaughter you are sadly mistaken. The overwhelming majority are horses in their prime. Purchased from individual owners, thru horse auctions, wherever they can get them. The old horse on his last leg headed to slaughter is a fallacy. I think a better last ditch solution would be euthanasia. I know I'd rather be put down as opposed to having to spend three days in the back of a trailer without food or water just to end up as Soylent Green "

anchor wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:13 PM:

" FastEddie - I asked lillehoff if my leather shoes and cheese burger made me a wack-job...lillehoff replied, "if the shoe fits...". To me indicating she/he thinks using cowhide for clothing and cow meat for burgers is a great moral failing. This is the over-the-top nonsense that makes PETA a laughing stock. Man-kind would get nothing accomplished and be back in the stone-age if we followed PETA's edicts. No wind power because the blades hit birds, no hydro power because fish are being killed, don't drill because caribou will have to find another plot of land on which to stand....that list goes on and on and indeed has even gone to the microbial level...I am not alone in saying, "PETA, enough is enough." "

middle of the road wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Peta's so called accomplishments usually result in animals getting treated worse in the end. you do not think so? look closely at the plight of old horses now compared to before they got the horse slaughter houses shut down. If i were a horse, I would be wanting to stomp most peta people. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:03 AM:

" anchor: Take the time to learn to read. I don't see anywhere where Lillehoff said not to eat meat. All they and I have been saying is that we should be treating the animals humanely on factory farms. Why do you have such a problem with that? Does your little biblical quote about having dominion over them translate to use and abuse at will? It's bad enough that they die to feed our faces but do we have to make their life a living hell up to that time? Evidently you could care less how the food gets to your plate because your God says it's OK. And you have the nerve to call someone else a Whack-Job? (FastEddie 227:942) "

OGS wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:54 AM:

" Very strange indeed. "

anchor wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:25 AM:

" lillehoff - That's your "feather-in-the-hat" quote!?!? Mahatma Gandhi!?!?! Really?!?! Well, I am sure Gandhi is spinning in his grave as I eat my boneless, skinless chicken and sleep on my down comforter. This is what MY God says about PETA, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:26) "

lillehoff wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:18 PM:

" "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."
Mahatma Gandhi




Put that in your pipe and smoke it. "

lillehoff wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Well Anchor...if the "shoe" fits...wear it. :-) "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:47 PM:

" Sigh: I guess by your logic anything that doesn't address the most severe of societys ills is a waste of time to address, until of course, murder, rape and the like are no more. My aren't we idealistic. Since your negating all those things that seem to be of lesser importance why don't we stop looking for a cure for Parkinsons because so many more people are affected by Cancer. By your logic a Veteranarian would be the least noble of professions. People are starving in Africa and he's busy trying to save a dogs life. How dare he. Most people can address more than one issue at a time. Is that a problem for you? When you come up with a more realistic approach, call me. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:07 PM:

" Sigh: The natural order of things? Do you call locking calves in crates so they can't move and exercise their muscles thus keeping their meat tender the NATURAL order of things? Is shoving a funnel down a ducks throat and force feeding them till their liver reaches ten times their normal size the NATURAL order of things? Is keeping foxes in cages they can't move in only to electrocute and skin so you look good going to the opera the NATURAL order of things? Lions hunting gazelles is the natural order of things. Modern day factory farms are not. Skinning ten thousand monkeys, alive no less, is ok with you? Huntingdon Life Sciences is looking for people like you. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:36 PM:

" Geez anchor: I think I either need to take reading comprehension classes or you do. Lillehoff brought up things that any person with an ounce of compassion would agree are beyond cruel and totally unneccesary. Fois Gras, Veal, Fur etc. Never saw any mention of milkshakes. It was you who referred to animal rights advocates as wack-jobs. Is this a classic case of being able to dish it out but not able to take it? You need to lighten up and quit being so food aggressive. "

anchor wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:53 PM:

" lillehoff - So do my leather shoes and cheese burger make me a wack-job? How about the milkshake? Or is it just the cute and cuddly animals that need saving? I think there IS more than one way to look at the issue. One way is to say PETA is a waste of time, money, and resources that would be better served helping starving children by giving them animals to eat. Another way to look at it is to say PETA is a "hobby" organization people use to feel good about themselves for doing pratically nothing. How do you like that pie? "

4mama wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:46 PM:

" Seriously, I have been in other countries where the food market looked more like one of our zoo's, and all the living creatures (who knows what they all were) had a destiny of someone's dinner plate. Jeffrey Dahmer preferred to have his BBQ on a level that most meat eaters would not appreciate. I saw my daughters hamster pick up it's baby and eat it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but the mother was apparently too young to know what to do. They also eat the ones that die. That hamster turned from a nice, cute animal into a disgusting rodent for me at that point in time. Animals are rather carniverous themselves. "

Sigh wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:57 PM:

" Seriously, all of the people here raiiling against the "horrors" done to food animals need to wake up and realize that there are ACTUAL problems that need taken care of in this world.

People are tortured, raped, murdered in horrible ways every day. As long as there is a dictator committing genocide, or any violent crime that remains unsolved then this stuff doesn't matter because animals are not as important as humans. If skinning 10,000 monkeys alive would somehow save one person it is worth it.
The economy is in shambles, illegal immigrants are playing gang war on US soil, and social security is failing. Blowing the prices of goods people need to live out of the water by over regulating the food industry will not help anyone.

Call me when the biggest problem in the world is a cow being kicked by its handlers and then we will talk. "

Sigh wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:44 PM:

" re: "FastEddie" haha, good a live one.

Animals eat living things, that is the natural cycle. Humans are the ONLY animals that have the ability for rational thought and thus we took some of the best animals we used for food and domesticated them for our personal use, just like we took and created modern crops from their prehistoic ancestors that weren't nearly as good at resisting diseases or producing.

You are actually arguing against the natural order of things by acting like humans, omnivores, should give up half our diet (there is much nutrition in meat the body needs) and just let these animals we have bred go extinct. Do you think we should kill all of the lions in the world so that no gazelles have to suffer?

Actually, I guess by your logic, we should kill all of the gazelles so they won't have to live short, painful lives. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:13 AM:

" BEBOP

What makes a cow less worthy?

SIMPLE: If we did not use cows for meat,milk, clothing, etc.. They would not be here. They are bred (kept in existence) solely for man's use. If we did not use them they would not be bred and I highly doubt their continued existence in the wild.

You then ask "True animal lovers don't "enjoy eating animals." It's a very hypocritical way of thinking that way too many people live by. Would you eat your cats? Would you eat your neighbor's dog?"

If I was starving yes. Dog is considered a delicacy in some countries. Why? because they are bred for that purpose in those countries. Meat is not bad. We have just become sissified as humans. We don't care about any animals but the cute ones. Animals are a good source of food, clothing, fertilizer, companionship, etc... But just because they fit in one category does not exclude them from others. "

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:12 AM:

" hey bebop
even crows do not eat cats. so that really is not a good comparison. In many places in the world dog is a delicacy. yet in some of those places they do not eat cows. Yet you think it is better to milk a woman for profit than to milk a cow? do you realize how quickly a dairy cow is in major distress if they are not milked?
so you think it is better to neglect them and let people go hungry. Good plan i guess, if you enjoy causing pain, suffering and disease then death. Somehow i guess that makes you a better person? "

bebop wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:23 PM:

" mdorf: True animal lovers don't "enjoy eating animals." It's a very hypocritical way of thinking that way too many people live by. Would you eat your cats? Would you eat your neighbor's dog? What makes a cow less worthy? "

Prairie Loon wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:12 PM:

" I think this is gross. Leave it to PETA to come out with an idea that sucks. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:55 PM:

" mdorf4: You may not be advocating animal torture but by the tone of your post your not doing anything to help prevent it. You leave that up to the Whack-Jobs. Your last sentence only serves to validate the point Bloomingtoncatlover was trying to make. "

answerman wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:59 PM:

" How did all this start? Did man seek milk from the cow, how were they domesticated? Who diddled the first udder?

Most animal sacrifices of long ago gave much needed protein to a tribe, hence thanking the hunting gods. But who decided to keep an animal alive for milk. "

lillehoff wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:46 PM:

" ANCHOR:
Yes I have considered it. Have you ever considered that people who eat Fois Gras, Veal, wear furs, etc., knowing full well the pain, suffering and torture that animal must endure AND then still purchase it, are in my book, the definition of a "whack-job?" There is more than one way of looking at it. Dontcha think? "

mdorf4 wrote on Oct 6, 2008 6:06 PM:

" bloomingtoncatlover and fasteddie
Nobody on here is advocating animal torture, but it is hard to take anything PETA says seriously. They are extremists and fanatics. Do they do some good? Sure. Do they do some harm? Sure. But for the most part, we ignore them. My wife and I have 2 cats which get a lot of love and affection. I also really like steak. It is possible to be an animal lover and still enjoy eating meat. I'm sorry, but cows are only good for 2 things: meat and milk. "

bloomingtoncatlover wrote on Oct 6, 2008 4:42 PM:

" FastEddie~
I agree completley with you. It is sad that most people are too ignorant to see beyond their own selfish desires to recognize the horrors of how millions of animals are treated. "

4mama wrote on Oct 6, 2008 4:11 PM:

" During this political season I'll bet those running for office are glad to see that they are not the only Boobs in the news!

Sorry, I had to slip that one in. I crack myself up sometimes! "

4mama wrote on Oct 6, 2008 4:09 PM:

" My jokes were just about the proposal, not about the agency. A suggestion like that will get in my head and the humor takes off on it's own. It is so ridiculous it is funny. I know that there is no way they are serious, but when they come up with something like that they are definitely supplying a lot of comics with lines.

btw, an education in breastfeeding if I may...A woman does not produce breast milk while she is pregnant, but the lactation begins after the child is born. And the milk will usually continue until she decides to wean the child, however long that may be. The nursing (or pumping) is the action that causes the breast to produce milk. "

Anchor wrote on Oct 6, 2008 2:24 PM:

" lillehoff- maybe it is because many of us associate PETA with a bunch of Wack-jobs. Every consider that? They are a joke to a lot of people. "

Anchor wrote on Oct 6, 2008 2:22 PM:

" Dr.Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo - FINALLY, my ship has come in! I have been storing hundreds of gallons of Orangutan breast milk in my garage freezer for over 10 years! My wife called me crazy, but now I am going to be RICH beyond my wildest dreams!!! "

teacher4justice wrote on Oct 6, 2008 11:07 AM:

" PETA is certainly not a "do good" organization. Yes, they have exposed some things that needed exposing, but unless you'd like to wear plastic shoes, eat an exclusively vegan diet, and have absolutely no pets of any kind (their end agenda), don't support them or their tactics. Do the research. PETA uses terrorist tactics of their own. Research the stunt they pulled in Dog Fancy magazine. Research Ingrid Newkirk... Get all the information. "

4mama wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:09 AM:

" lillehoff - I posted that last one before your post went up. I'll put a lid on it. Maybe there's a job for me out there submitting jokes to Jay Leno. "

HD wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:17 PM:

" So attaching women to brest pumps is no more cruel then attaching them to a cow? Which lactates even when not pregnant? This is a great idea?! "

Common Sense Gal wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:15 PM:

" I wonder if a lactating woman could continue to lactate for 9 months just like the dairy cows? What extra income a mother can have after weaning her own after a month or so. "

4mama wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:50 PM:

" I am going to sponser a dance, possibly a jig. Then we can have milkshakes! "

Dr.Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo wrote on Oct 5, 2008 12:55 PM:

" Why not, make ice creme make from Orangutan breast milk. "

lillehoff wrote on Oct 5, 2008 12:19 PM:

" 4mama:
YES...please stop, you've "milked" this long enough!
I am in agreement with FastEddie here. PETA may use somewhat bizzare and impratical tactics to illustrate a point, but the good they do far outweighs the occasional lapses in judgement used to bring attention to their cause.
It would take only a few moments of research online to bring to light how groups such as PETA not only advocate for the good of animals but for humankind as well.
It appears not many here are up for that challenge...they would much rather be entertained than enlightened. "

RMH wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:56 AM:

" Obama's support for *fourth*-trimester abortions would leave an abundance of baby-less, lactating women who could supply Ben and Jerry. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:28 AM:

" I think most of you people need to do your homework. I can name countless things they and other watchdog organizations have exposed. If anyone remembers, the Food Lion chain of grocery stores were exposed for putting out chicken thru two expiration dates. Then if it still didn't sell, it ended up ground into chicken salad. It isn't the government meat inspectors that bring these practices to light, it's organizations like PETA or People Eating Tasty Animals to some of you. A phrase, I may add, that has been beat to death and only a person with absolutely nothing of note to say would even use. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:12 AM:

" I posted earlier on this thread about the PETA undercover investigations that have exposed downer animals going into our food supply. The government, whose job it is to monitor and regulate where our food comes from is asleep at the wheel. I for one am thankful that someone is doing it. I haven't read one word of appreciation from anyone on this thread about the good they do. They not only advocate for the welfare of animals but also for the welfare of everyone of you. I agree that PETA can be over the top on some things but this is not one of them. I would have to say the methods employed in factory farming today are more over the top than PETA could ever be. The whole milk episode was done tongue in cheek to illustrate a point but it evidently went right over most peoples heads. "

FastEddie wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:38 AM:

" SIGH: PETA is not serious about using human breast milk, it was done to make a point and to foster some intelligent thought on the subject. I think they failed in that mission because I'm seeing little of that here. You seemed concerned that the species may vanish. Is it their welfare your concerned with or your typical human gluttonous need to consume animals? I would surmise that because of your need to attack PETA it is your wants that your concerned with and not the animals welfare. Is extinction such a bad thing in their regard? If you had your choice between extinction (aka: never been born) or a short life of nothing but pain and suffering in a factory farm, which one would you chose? "

4mama wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:24 AM:

" Imagine, no more spoiled coffee creamers at restaurants. You have a hostess, a waitress, and the cream girl! Freshly squeezed oj wouldn't be the only freshly squeezed thing on the menu.

How about having the cream girls from different countries and eat different things before work? French vanilla coffee, anyone?

Would men stop looking at women as a "piece of meat" and instead look at them like a "pitcher of milk"?

How about pavlovian reactions? Instead of thinking about sex guys would start thinking about dairy when they see a well endowed woman. A form of birth control for the masses?

Somebody stop me! "

4mama wrote on Oct 4, 2008 7:35 PM:

" No Juan, we're not done yet. Get the pumps out. We're gonna milk it for all it's worth! "

juan wrote on Oct 4, 2008 3:15 PM:

" Just when I thought we'd squeezed all we could get from this.... "

Geez! wrote on Oct 4, 2008 2:52 PM:

" PETA = People Eat Tasty Animals.

These nuts are insane. The scary part is that they are allowed to drive and breed. "

4mama wrote on Oct 4, 2008 12:57 PM:

" Now my imagination if rolling with this. Warning label for their "new" product may include "May contain traces of silicone". Then, we can start fighting about getting the milk from "organic" women - no artificially enhanced "milkee's" allowed. Oh, the products available are unending! Boob butter, mound cheese, etc. Maybe I could get a job working PR for them? "

candy wrote on Oct 4, 2008 8:31 AM:

" Not only is it disgusting and wrong, I'm not sure how they think it will work. It's not like women just expel milk all the time, every day. You have to be just out of pregnancy to even produce the stuff, and then it should be used for the baby. Then you dry up. The milk doesn't last forever, and what mother wants it to?? This is the most absurd idea I've ever heard. Peta might get some credibility if they weren't always coming up with dumb ideas. "

excuseme wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:38 PM:

" I think it will bust. "

lindini wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Are you guys seriously still talking about this? I guess the PETA publicity stunt actually worked... "

Sigh wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:27 PM:

" I get the point PETA is trying to make. It is a stupid point, if humans stop using cows for milk and meat then guess what - they will vanish as a species because they can no longer take care of themselves in the wild and nobody will keep herds of an animal that will not turn a profit, it is the same with chickens and pigs.

So what PETA is really advocating when they rail against animals being used for food is their mass extinction from the face of the earth, brilliant! Fun fact- PETA euthanizes more animals in their shelters than it manages to save. Really, almost everything PETA does backfires on them because it is so radically out there as to be ineffective I hope nobody actually takes them seriously even on this board. "

4mama wrote on Oct 2, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Pamela Anderson up front as a spokesperson? THAT is probably where they got the idea of using human breast milk! Now I understand! "

cocoa wrote on Oct 1, 2008 11:28 PM:

" bebop - I understand the point they are trying to make. But I feel (in my opinion only) they are employing the wrong tactics to try to get their point across. I have vegetarians and vegans in my family. I've heard all the stories and seen the research. I still choose to consume dairy products and wear leather shoes, although I will admit to cutting back on meat and I no longer buy anything with fur or shearling. That's my choice. Just as PETA has the choice to continue spending money on ads that cause derision rather than spend the money on thoughtful ads and educational programs that might sway more people in favor of PETA's cause. Extremists often have a difficult time swaying anyone other than other extremists. And they need to get a better spokesperson than Pamela Anderson. I don't doubt her sincerity but her personal life has turned her into a tabloid joke and that's rubbing off on PETA (in my mind, anyway). "

bebop wrote on Oct 1, 2008 9:17 PM:

" Doesn't anyone understand the point PETA is trying to make? They're not serious about actually making ice cream from women's breast milk. The point is, if it's so weird and crazy and disgusting to fathom eating ice cream made from HUMAN milk, maybe we should consider just how weird and crazy it is that we think eating ice cream made from the milk of a COW is so normal. Why is it that everyone is so disgusted by something that most of us actually drank as infants? If people would start to analyze and research where the food they put into their bodies actually comes from, perhaps you would realize that a lot of the food/liquid you put into your body is a heck of a lot more disgusting than a woman's breast milk. "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Oct 1, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Juan:
That is hilarious lol "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Oct 1, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Juan:
That is hilarious lol "

AD II wrote on Oct 1, 2008 9:19 AM:

" To Jipsi

Actually, I think the reverse argument is flimsy. Think about, most other mammals eat their own after birth and whatever other nutritious substance is left behind. To assume that we "out-grow" a form of nutrition is nuts. If we drink a calf's nutritious drink, then we shouldn't have a problem drinking our own.

The fact is I believe most people see it as a form cannibalism and or intimacy (weird combo), and that's what makes people uncomfortable – especially involving strangers.

I'm not a PETA fan, but I get their point.
We Are Weird! "

4mama wrote on Oct 1, 2008 8:33 AM:

" juan - what a hoot! "

juan wrote on Oct 1, 2008 12:50 AM:

" Nobody else has said it yet, so I guess it falls to me: PETA is a bunch of boobs. "

meandmyscoot wrote on Sep 27, 2008 3:07 PM:

" Do they have any job openings for milkers? "

landlord wrote on Sep 27, 2008 10:41 AM:

" peta stands for
Peoeple
Eat
Tasty
Animals!!!!
no, is is sick through "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Sep 27, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Where do we get these people ?????? Left wing Wackjobs.....
PETA= people eating tasty animals..... I'll have a large milk with my steak!!!
THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY "

jipsi wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:29 PM:

" to AD II:

Human milk is what we're supposed to drink as NURSING INFANTS, NOT as a casual/nutrition beverage for adults!
NO MAMMAL continues drinking milk from its mother long after maturity, so the 'natural' argument is flimsy, at best.
Drinking cow's milk is no different than eating bees' honey (which is actually kind of gross, when you think about it!) or wearing silk: both are by-products of another species, that we consume or utilize for ourselves.

With the current 'green' trend, I'm hoping to see milk's production return to more organic (pasture fed, free ranging Bessies!) methods.
Give me a tall glass of cold-chilled, whole, Grade A (cow's) milk ANYDAY over some substitute. YUM! Got milk! :-)

Does this mean PETA won't be serving CHEESE at their functions? I don't think it would go over well if they offered "mother's milk" cheese (include a complimentary barf bag, please!).
I'm a big proponent of breastfeeding (I nursed my boys until they were ONE, and then sippy cups started holding dairy milk, not MINE!), but I just don't think it should be consumed by ANYONE but the infant of the lactating mother, PERIOD. "

cocoa wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:51 PM:

" Having done some research on how animals at commercial farms are treated (not specifically cows used by Ben & Jerry's), I understand how some people become vegetarians and/or vegan. I firmly believe animals were put on earth for humans' use, but that does not give humans the right to abuse the animals, which is what many of the commercial farms do - not all cows are allowed to leisurely graze in pastures like many of use that grew up on family-owned farms remember. But PETA has the wrong idea. They go about getting their message across in a way that offends more people than is causes them to think. Being aggressive and in-your-face doesn't work with most people; people want solid, well-thought out facts and information to change their mind. As long as PETA continues with outrageous campaigns like this, they will never get one penny of support from me or my family. "

Double OTT Duck wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:57 PM:

" "Cow Whisperers" thats the solution. Ease their pain.
If only PETA members were like the Lemming. Ease our pain! "

Victorian Girl wrote on Sep 26, 2008 6:14 PM:

" Eeewwwwwww! PETA.......bad idea. "

SDog wrote on Sep 26, 2008 5:54 PM:

" Animals have their place - on a plate next to the potatoes and ear of corn. "

ofc313 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 4:05 PM:

" Who gets to do the milking ????????????????? You have got to be kidding ! "

BigBrother wrote on Sep 26, 2008 4:01 PM:

" Tastes just like "soilant green" to me!!! "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Sep 26, 2008 3:44 PM:

" esteban:
The fact still remains that women were not meant to me dairy cows. They will never produce enough for the product in the first place. The drugs, tobacco and alcohol are just as bad. "

esteban colberto wrote on Sep 26, 2008 3:30 PM:

" Sweetcheeks, Thanks, but I do not think all humans do drugs and some of the things injected into cows are harmful to humans. rBGH and things like that. So does it really matter if you are the one drinking the milk? The fact is they are injected and you are drinking that crap. Now B&J ice craem does not have rBGH which is better than others. "

imho wrote on Sep 26, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Hmmm. . . maybe Jeffrey Dahmer had it right. . . If PETA wants us to use human breast milk in ice cream, why not just throw the annoying neighbor on the grill? Hey, at least the cow won't be getting hurt. "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Sep 26, 2008 1:33 PM:

" Geration bleach:
TOOOO funny! "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Sep 26, 2008 1:31 PM:

" GOM:
LOL you would be first in line for that wouldn't you ..hilarious "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Sep 26, 2008 1:22 PM:

" esteban:
Just what I said...cows dont do what people do. They dont do elicid drugs, they dont smoke grass..they dont drink alcohol..they don't smoke cigaretts. If they have any drugs in them they are there due to humans. Women who nurse are told by doctors what to do and not to do so they should know they have to be very careful but some dont care. Hense the statement "Cows dont do what people do". BTW the pus story came from..GUESS who.......PETA. "

Laura wrote on Sep 26, 2008 12:42 PM:

" Let me guess, vegetarians agree with this? Right? This is pathetic and discusting. Save the human breasts! What will PETA think of next. They need to stay on a strict diet of bark....except...the poor trees! "

Townie here... wrote on Sep 26, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Jipsi-Women's lib/feminist stuff? Come on. Sometimes I can't even begin to understand where you come up with this stuff for your free lance blogs. "

SmallTownMom wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:22 AM:

" I grew up on a dairy farm, and cows are pretty uncomfortable when you DON'T milk them.... "

What The Hey wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:12 AM:

" Someone from PETA must listen to Bob and Tom. This has been a story for the last few days about some guy in Europe who is wanting to use human breast milk in his products. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:50 AM:

" Can I sign up to extract this milk? "

Poster Boy wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Hey now, let's not be to hard on the fine folks at PETA (People for the Enjoyment of Tasty Animals). Sorry, but I hadn't seen that one used yet this morning. "

AD II wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Look, I would never eat or drink some one else's breast milk.
I do see how ever, that as a species we've gone over the edge. As repulsive as it seems, think about it for a minute - why is it so gross for us to imagine drinking the milk WE ARE SUPPOSED to drink as a species. Yet we'll gladly drink the milk of some great lumbering beast.

I love cow's milk, but this does make you think about what the heck is wrong with us as a species! "

FastEddie wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Jipsi: They don't use dairy cows for milking their whole life. Old McDonalds farm is history. It's factory farms now. They're used two to three years then they go to slaughter too. "

Generation Bleach wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:23 AM:

" I am starting People For Ethical Treatment of Vegetables... Plants are living defenseless beings, did you not hear that tomato scream when you sliced it like the soulless murderer you are? Save the lettuce, eat a cow. "

FastEddie wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:19 AM:

" Get real people. Peta isn't serious. It's to illustrate a point. Call them nutjobs all you like but it is they who are exposing the horrors of what is going on in this nations slaughterhouses. It sure isn't our government. The downer cows in California going into the food supply, the pig farm in Iowa just this week. Maybe you all have short memories and forgot it was the nutjobs that brought all this to light. I for one am glad their around. "

jipsi wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Holy COW... what's NEXT??
A human mother's breast milk is AS UNIQUE as that individual's DIET, and, although her own baby will never know it, there's both better and worse 'out there'!
Cows are monitored stringently, in order to provide a uniform and quality product for thousands of customers. Mother's milk is NOT, at least not in the unilateral sense...

One one hand PETA proclaims an affinity for animals, in the NEXT they would be potentially HARMING human infants through 'un-regulated' (and unstandardized) breast milk! Can you say, "hippo-crit"? (hypocrite. LOL)

It is PRECISELY because of this that cow's milk was refined over centuries (ie: pasteurization) so that mothers could supplement or replace breastmilk with something nutritous, healthy and SAFE for their babies!

Are PETA folk the same feminist, women's lib types who want to throw EVERYTHING out the window that makes women 'different' then men??
This is a mother's personal decision, and cow's milk is a proven and SAFE choice.
I'm all for humane and kind treatment of animals and all, but raising a cow for her MILK, her whole life, is FAR PREFERABLE to the short life she might otherwise have as BEEF...right?? "

Chicago wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:52 AM:

" To keithstone:
Yea I guess cows and all animals have value over humans right? That's basically what PETA says all the time! I've never heard that drinking milk causes cancer or heart attacks, not getting calcium can contribute to bone cancer and osteoperosis (sp?)and calcium comes from where? Drinking milk! They are animals!! And I highly doubt that every cow feels pain, I know they've found places where the cows were mistreated and they were shut down but not every place hurts animals! Peta just needs to get over theirselves. "

lindini wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:46 AM:

" PETA is a joke and a perfect example of people who might have a good idea (protecting animals from cruel exploitation) but shoot themselves in the foot with their own ignorance and self righteousness. In the end I feel PETA is far more about "hey, look how much better we are than you!" than actually wanting to afford any actual change. Cheap stunts like this do far more to hurt the cause of animal rights than to help. "

johnd wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:35 AM:

" What would they name these ice cream shops?Hooters is already used! "

candi wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:14 AM:

" How is it that PETA is not considering the "cruelty to women.." Isn't it equally as cruel to "milk" a woman as it is to milk a cow?? I just don't understand the mentality..if that's the case, then why can't we substitute DOG milk, or SHEEP milk, or any OTHER creature..If we are going to substitute one living being with another, what is the point? Of course, I realize they are not serious about this, it is only a publicity stunt, but "HOLY COW", GET REAL....(hahaha...) (oh, the humanity!!) "

sara8916 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:10 AM:

" PETA is a seriously messed up organization. They are two faced, and care NOTHING whatsoever about animals. They dont want us to have animals as pets. They think that pets should be extinct. Did you know that they have taken perfectly adoptable animals out of shelters and euthanized them themselves. PETA needs to get a life, better yet PETA needs to be extinct and forgotten. They hurt and dont do any good. And for them wanting human milk in ice cream?! I mean that is sick and wrong. So lets just line up women like cows and harvest them like a cow? I dont think so. Cows were put on this earth for a reason. For us to eat them, and use their milk. And in some cases just to have as pets. "

The Peanut Gallery wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:58 AM:

" If further proof was needed that PETA is a lunatic-fringe group, here it is. The incredible aspect is that these loons are SERIOUS. "

keithstone wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:56 AM:

" Most of the people writing these comments are unbelievably short sighted (the truth scares you). Just the name "PETA" scares you. It doesn't much matter what their message is. Let me try to break it down:
Cows produce milk. Greedy humans exploit this for profit (drugs to promote un-natural production quantities), cows are hurt, and humans are hurt long term, i.e., cancer, heart attacks.
PETA is sending a message that if you think about drinking milk in a different way, maybe you will reconsider your choices and the effects of your choices on others.
Nuanced thinking isn't this section’s forte!!! "

Girl wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:53 AM:

" I need a new leather coat, would one of these PETA members like to donate? "

iluvchoc wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:49 AM:

" These PETA people are NUTS! "

Abigail wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:47 AM:

" JMK, hurray for the press giving this group a forum. It shows what a lunatic bunch they are. Yet, there are those whose lunacy extends even further. They'll contribute their money to these nuts. Amazing! "

imho wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Couple of things here: First and foremost, I'm glad I'm not associated with PETA for the simple fact, I may have to consider shooting myself in the head. Secondly, does PETA not think that such an idea would cost more than it's worth. A cow is happy if you give it a nice pasture and green grass in exchange for milk. A woman would want big chunk of green too, but that chunk of green would be money. Finally, what would the likelihood that pathogens (i.e. Hepatitis, HIV, etc.) would get passed from the breast milk to the consumer?? "

turtlelover wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:41 AM:

" So PETA's OK with human women being milk factories, but not cows. Maybe PETA members should move to India where the cow is sacred.
I realize it's not the best life for the cow, but we are at the top of the food chain and that's the natural order of things. It's their choice to not drink milk or eat meat or any animal products, but dont' try to foist your vegan ways on me!! Especially not my ice cream!!!!!!!!!! "

Esteban Colberto wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Sweetcheeks, what do you mean, "Cows do not do what people do?" Ever hear about the pus, etc in milk? They[PETA] are not serious about using human milk in ice cream, they are pointing out how crazy it is that we would never dream of using human milk for something like ice cream, but we will use cow's milk. "

wayne coyne collection wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:30 AM:

" Original MJ has the definitive response to this. Kudos! "

Meh wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:29 AM:

" pseudo-intellectual, talk about paranoia. Are there even enough fringe PETA members who support this level of nonsense to even supply 1% of our reps in Congress? This is a PETA publicity stunt, no more, no less. "

iwillstandwithyou wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:25 AM:

" Okay, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth! I am soooo for nursing, and soooo for ice cream, but the two combined? Uh, EW! I vote NO WAY!!! "

helbo1971 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Heck, if they paid me enough, I'd donate. Not saying I'd eat the stuff (bleck) but give me a big old paycheck and pump away! :) Next PETA will be asking for rump roasts. "

3838 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:21 AM:

" Please Eat Tasty Animals ?????? "

Chicago wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:17 AM:

" Breastfeeding hurts too ya know! It's not like it's something easy and fun that every mother has no problem with...Geez! I'm so sick of hearing about PETA, they have good intentions but ideas like this one are way out there! I would not eat Ben and Jerry's if they did this or any ice cream that was like that, just way too weird for me. "

who cares wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:08 AM:

" well i know your not going to post this one anyway so here it goes.those peta people are completely nuts.they're milk cows that's what they do.if you don't milk them they leak.and as far as you people that are better than every one else because your a vegan.guess why your mouth isn't full of molars.because your front teeth are designed to tear into meat.oh yeah a vegan is a better person than carnivores just ask them they'll tell you.they will make it a point to tell you they don't eat meat.conceded S.O.B.S "

Double OTT Duck wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:06 AM:

" They're are all NUTJOBS!!!!!! By the NAILED, well done you sure got your 2% in. "

Bloomington Resident wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:06 AM:

" Why does The Pantagraph have this ludicrous story in the top spot on the page? Is there no real news that we should be concerned with? "

JMK wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:01 AM:

" I can't believe newspapers even give this fringe lunatic group a forum for their mumblings. "

Sweetcheeks wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:59 AM:

" I nursed my babies but I find this repulsive. I would never buy a product such as this. Cows don't do what people do. This is disgusting. What would happen if a sick woman passes her germs in her milk to others. I think PETA has really lost it now. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:56 AM:

" You have got to be kidding. The idea is instantly repulsive. What a great way to drive a successful company out of business. Folks, this is no joke. If the wrong people get into office, they won't just be asking... they'll force some of these wacko (including "Green") ideas down our throats. "

Esteban Colberto wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:46 AM:

" I think that is point PETA is trying make. People will not drink human milk after a certain age, why drink cow's milk? "

IlliniFan wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Is Peta serious??? I'm sorry, but this group is just nutty sometimes. Leave the mother's milk for the babies...... "

OriginalMJ wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:35 AM:

" If PETA thinks the dairy cows are being hurt, try NOT milking those cows and see how much pain they are in! Dairy cows are high-production milk-making machines, for Pete's sake; women aren't, nor should they be. PETA is completely loony on this. "

Zeva wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:35 AM:

" Is nothing in this world sacred anymore? Cows have been around for centuries and this was their purpose then and still should be. If not don't drink milk, take a calcium tab. The idea of drinking someones milk is enough to make a person want to hurl. I wouldn't dream of giving it to a child of mine either, who knows who's it was or what they had. Has the FDA approved this method? If they have they are certainly not a reputable organization. "

just a thought wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:35 AM:

" It's just too early in the morning to even register a comment for such idiocy. How now, brown cow. Off to my morning bowl of cereal. Just thought of a comment. Would the government subsidize it? "

Nailed wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:31 AM:

" LOL! I'm somewhat of a "lactivist", but this is odd to say the least. Clearly just done to prove a point. "

annagraham wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:26 AM:

" This is absolutely repulsive. As if PETA wasn't considered enough of a joke already. "

4mama wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:19 AM:

" After having nursed twins for 11 months I know what it feels like to be a cow! These people are absolutely nuts - what sane woman is going to go for something like this unless you price her milk to give her at least a 50k income - after all, it has got to be at least worth what it is to work on the line at MMMA! "

FireBoi84 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:19 AM:

" I'm sorry, but I think this is just wrong...So you want to line up a row of nursing mother's and have them pump just like a cow? But, PETA's okay with that because it's not the cow suffering?? I just see so many things wrong with this...That idea is WAY WAY WAY out there. I would NEVER buy "Breast Milk" Ice Cream! "
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