A French TV presenter and animal activist named Aymeric Caron said the insects that suck human blood to obtain protein for their eggs should not be swatted and killed but instead allowed to do so in peace.
The 47-year-old, who calls himself an anti-specist — someone who believes all species should be treated equally — said folks need to chillax and allow themselves to be bitten by their mosquitoes brothers and sisters unless their in Africa, where they would be at risk of catching malaria.
According to the Independent, Caron said that when people kill mosquitoes, it is ’embarrassing for anti-specists who realize they are being attacked by a mother trying to nourish her children.’
Caron said that allowing mosquitoes to bite should be considered an honorable act, not unlike ‘Blood donation,’ and that although ideally, we should strive to avoid killing insects, they could be killed when and where necessary.
He explained’ how the female mosquito has little choice but to risk her life to feed her babies, before saying:
“One can consider that a blood donation from time to time to an insect who is only trying to nourish her children is not a drama.”
The presenter went on to say to advise people that the best way to avoid being bitten would be to use natural mosquito repellents such as lavender oil, citronella, or garlic. He also encouraged people to wash regularly and avoid using perfumes.
If all those steps fail, Caron encouraged folks to follow the example of philosopher and animal protection pioneer Albert Schweitzer, who only allowed himself to kill mosquitoes in Africa, where there is a risk associated with being bitten.
The presenter further explained:
“In Africa, where there is malaria, he allowed himself to kill mosquitoes. In France, where they are inoffensive, he allowed himself to be bitten.”
However, British animal-protection workers were quick to note that the presenter’s comments were ‘a step too far’ and described them as ‘an unhelpful distraction.’
Toni Vernelli, the UK head of animal-welfare group Animal Equality, said she draws the line at ‘parasites that carry malaria and kill millions of people a year.’
According to the World Health Organization, in 2017 alone, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries, with people in south-east Asia, Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and America being at risk as well as people in Africa.
If left untreated within 24 hours, a particular strain of malaria, P. falciparum malaria, can advance into severe illness — often leading to death.
Vernelli told the Independent:
“For most people, this is a step too far and a distraction. It’s unhelpful in trying to educate people about the suffering of animals in factory farms, and is unrelated to animal welfare campaigns.
We’re much better off focusing on the tangible things people can do to reduce suffering, such as not eating meat, using animal products and wearing fur.”
I don’t know about you, but any mosquitoes around me will get a kiss from my electric flyswatter real quick. They better find another blood bar, cause this one’s closed.
What do you think of this guy’s “argument”? Let us know in the comments and be sure to share this with someone who could use a good laugh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ecVrs4AnA