Have any animal-rights extremists protested against killing non lethal parasites? For example, one could argue that fleas, lice, tapeworms and the like (usually) don’t kill and therefore have a right to live. I know this sounds silly… but has any fringe group supported, say, a tick’s right to live?
You’re not familiar with Lymes disease then ?
Or bubonic plague?
Or abcesses?
Or malnutrition?
Or blindness?
Or renal failure?
Or liver function failure?
Or flesh ulcers?
These just might get in the way of any sympathy that folk would have for parasites.
But the innocent flea doesn’t deliberatly infect his host. You wouldn’t kill a person if they had an contagous desease. Why can’t we work to eliminate the deaseases they spread and thus have a peaceful, respectful co-existance?
(I’m kidding, of course, but I have met people who won’t eat honey because it “exploits” bees. What I want to know- does any fringe group worry about “innocent” mosquitos and ameobas and the like. )
Jainists are probably in that category as they make every effort to avoid hurting all life. They are of course strict vegans but consider even harm done to plants by eating them as neccessary for survival. Some even to to the length of wearing surgical masks so they don’t inhale bugs or sweeping the ground as they walk to avoid stepping on them. While I don’t agree with them I’d refrain from referring to a religion as a mere fringe group.