Cannibalism: Can you imagine eating human flesh?

Can you imagine eating human flesh? This was the topic discussed by Magnus Suderlund in Gastro summit. Humans should now start to eat humans. It can save earth. The climate change is so conspicuous that we can ignore it but we can’t escape from its effect, the effect of global hunger. So a new form of Cannibalism: eating human flesh is needed as mentioned by this professor from Stockholm school of economic.

The term Cannibalism is coined from a group named as Caribs. From Caribs group Canibe was extracted. And finally from the term Canibe the actual term Cannibals was originated. As per some historical writings Columbus coined the term Cannibals. It was referred to an indigenous people in Guadaloupe Island. It is also believed that Columbus and the queen of Spain had connived and stigmatized that community as human eaters for some economic benefits.

In real, there is less documented evidence to support cannibalism. In contrary, there are many tales and narratives which also support this disgust act. Culture plays a significant role in promoting cannibalism. “Fore people” in New Guinea eat their own dead relatives as a community event. This form of culturally induced cannibalism is regarded as a ritual honor. Eating human flesh by fellow community members spread a disease, which is known as Kuru. This kuru disease is fatal in nature. In some parts of China, young offspring (sons and daughters) would offer their own flesh from thighs or fingers to their sick and weak parents as a food to recover. This type of cannibalism is called as filial cannibalism.

 In the year 1972, passengers waited for a long time and started to eat dead co-passengers in Andes plane Crash. This cannibalism is accepted because of extra ordinary circumstance. Famine and unfortunate expeditions are the examples where people eat the bodies of the dead. They eat to save themselves from starving to death.

Journal of Forensic Science has categorized the cannibals. This journal terms this as pathological cannibals. Paraphilia a state of pathological cannibals is referred to those who experience an extreme form of sexual desire which are gratified by dangerous activities. Nithari case, Noida in the year 2006 is the best example to refer the paraphilia cannibals. The businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari and his servant were accused of killing more than 10 children and suspected to consume children’s livers and other body parts. Another type of pathological cannibalism is the result of severe psychotic mental illness. Ego, narcissism and mental imbalance instigate this act of eating human flesh.

In 15th Century, a brown powder named as Mumia was used to cure certain medical complicacy and diseases like epilepsy, hemorrhage and nausea. This Mumia powder was made by mummified human flesh. This powder was medically approved at that time in Europe.

Cannibalism is a savage act. But still exist in a covert form with a cultural and psychological shield.  Many biologists studied this cannibal behavior among species. But in case of humans it is a taboo. Tribal and aboriginals are dehumanized and demonized as cannibals. Most of us are some extent cannibals because we eat meat. Scientifically there is less difference between human flesh and animal flesh.