SILK
Week 5 focused on silk as it related to trade, luxurious lifestyles, and the transportation of diseases and religion. The production of silk has recently come under scrutiny. I researched to find three websites addressing silk production, and to answer questions concerning PETA and solutions to unethical production. This research ultimately lead to my stance on controversial silk production.
Explore these three sites to learn more on the issues surrounding Silk Production...
greenopedia.com | Cruelty-Free Silk: Fact or Fiction?
http://greenopedia.com/article/cruelty-free-silk-fact-or-fiction
thekindlife.com | Peace Silk: What Is It?
http://thekindlife.com/blog/2012/9/alicia-silverstone-what-is-peace-silk/
animalrights.about.com | Why Vegans Don't Wear Silk
http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalsusedinclothing/a/Why-Vegans-Do-Not-Wear-Silk.htm
Silk is a very popular commodity, and one we often take for granted. Methods of farming silk hurt and endanger silk worms. PETA is taking a stand against these issues, and trying to prevent the continuing of mistreatment against silk worms. To harvest silk for consumer use silk worms are steamed or gassed alive still in their cocoons not having finished metamorphosis yet. As new research, and methods of silk farming are introduced silkworms are beginning to be genetically engineered, and transgenically modified all for the benefit of the consumer. These practices of harvest silk seem unethical to PETA nd the organization's supporters as silk is farmed at the expense of silk worm lives.
I completely agree with PETA in their stand against unethical silk harvesting. As their site says "Approximately 3,000 silk worms are killed to make every pound of silk." This is an extreme number of silk worm deaths especially when far more ethical alternatives are available for consumers. That makes the death of silkworms absolutely unnecessary. I understand that the death of small worm seems insignificant, but what kind of people are we to say any kind of death is insignificant? Research has found ways to ethically make silk, so why not use these methods?
Ethical alternatives are available for consumers. These choices include Ahimsa silk, and Peace silk. Both silks allow the silk worm the chance to hatch into a moth. The silk fibers are then harvested after the cocoon is no longer needed by the moth. These two types of silk produce different types of silk fabric. Peach silk is often also referred to as Vegetarian silk because both vegans and vegetarians find the unethical treatment of silk worms in normal silk harvesting to be against the morals and values of their lifestyles. Ethical treatment of moths in the production of peace silk allow vegetarians and vegans alike - as well as mindful consumers- to partake in the buying, wearing, and distributing of this luxurious fabric.
Explore these three sites to learn more on the issues surrounding Silk Production...
greenopedia.com | Cruelty-Free Silk: Fact or Fiction?
http://greenopedia.com/article/cruelty-free-silk-fact-or-fiction
thekindlife.com | Peace Silk: What Is It?
http://thekindlife.com/blog/2012/9/alicia-silverstone-what-is-peace-silk/
animalrights.about.com | Why Vegans Don't Wear Silk
http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalsusedinclothing/a/Why-Vegans-Do-Not-Wear-Silk.htm
Silk is a very popular commodity, and one we often take for granted. Methods of farming silk hurt and endanger silk worms. PETA is taking a stand against these issues, and trying to prevent the continuing of mistreatment against silk worms. To harvest silk for consumer use silk worms are steamed or gassed alive still in their cocoons not having finished metamorphosis yet. As new research, and methods of silk farming are introduced silkworms are beginning to be genetically engineered, and transgenically modified all for the benefit of the consumer. These practices of harvest silk seem unethical to PETA nd the organization's supporters as silk is farmed at the expense of silk worm lives.
I completely agree with PETA in their stand against unethical silk harvesting. As their site says "Approximately 3,000 silk worms are killed to make every pound of silk." This is an extreme number of silk worm deaths especially when far more ethical alternatives are available for consumers. That makes the death of silkworms absolutely unnecessary. I understand that the death of small worm seems insignificant, but what kind of people are we to say any kind of death is insignificant? Research has found ways to ethically make silk, so why not use these methods?
Ethical alternatives are available for consumers. These choices include Ahimsa silk, and Peace silk. Both silks allow the silk worm the chance to hatch into a moth. The silk fibers are then harvested after the cocoon is no longer needed by the moth. These two types of silk produce different types of silk fabric. Peach silk is often also referred to as Vegetarian silk because both vegans and vegetarians find the unethical treatment of silk worms in normal silk harvesting to be against the morals and values of their lifestyles. Ethical treatment of moths in the production of peace silk allow vegetarians and vegans alike - as well as mindful consumers- to partake in the buying, wearing, and distributing of this luxurious fabric.
1. Silk was discovered in China in 5,000 B.C.E by Lady Xiling Leizu. Individuals were originally buried in silk and also used the fabric for religious observances, in their art, for trade, and recognized it as the dress of China. Silk was very central to the Chinese identity of the time. During the Shang Dynasty, 1750-1050 B.C.E., the first uses of the word silk on oracle bones was discovered. By the Han Empire, 206-220 C.E., knowledge of silk began to spread outside of China.
2. During 753 B.C.E - 153 C.E., silk could be found in Ancient Rome. Expansion of trade to the west allowed silk into Rome. it was originally used only as an accessory to other clothing. Rome worked with the ability to dye silk, and created purple silk to dignify royalty.
3. The Silk Road was a series of trade routes stretching from the Mediterranean and Central Asia. While the conditions of the silk road were hash and brutal it made for very important transfers of goods. The Silk Road allowed not only for the trade of goods but diseases and religion as well.
4. By the 3rd century silk was introduced to Japan. During 1872 Japan's industrialization process was funded by silk.
5. From 1760-1820 industrialism takes place in Europe.
2. During 753 B.C.E - 153 C.E., silk could be found in Ancient Rome. Expansion of trade to the west allowed silk into Rome. it was originally used only as an accessory to other clothing. Rome worked with the ability to dye silk, and created purple silk to dignify royalty.
3. The Silk Road was a series of trade routes stretching from the Mediterranean and Central Asia. While the conditions of the silk road were hash and brutal it made for very important transfers of goods. The Silk Road allowed not only for the trade of goods but diseases and religion as well.
4. By the 3rd century silk was introduced to Japan. During 1872 Japan's industrialization process was funded by silk.
5. From 1760-1820 industrialism takes place in Europe.