A report (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/22/bling-beetle-bugs-us-customs) that a woman crossing from Mexico to Brownsville, Texas declared a live beetle, chained to her sweater, as a broach encrusted with paste 'gems' has aroused some concerns. The animal was confiscated by the local Plant Inspection Station as the woman did not have 'pest importation' documents. The beetle's fate is unknown but the woman was allowed to continue her journey as she had committed no offence. People from US Welfare Groups have expressed concerns about the ethics of this 'mutilation' but a) 'bugs' are often disposed of by people with little apparent agonising (so valuing such beetles might actually be beneficial to the species) and b) beetle decoration is said to have a long history in some parts of the world (Jackie Kennedy is reported to have been presented with one covered in real emeralds). I suppose that the American agencies were more concerned about the possibility of an agricultural pest getting into their country rather than the welfare of the beetle. It is presumably quite hard to identify a jewel-encrusted beetle as a living entity.
No comments:
Post a Comment