The Lens: The ethical bells of pig organ transplants are ‘oinking’ loudly
- New procedure in the US and China has sparked concerns surrounding animal rights and welfare
Chinese doctors transplanted a gene-edited pig liver into a living patient. Photo: HandoutDo you have thoughts on a Singaporean restaurant using a negative Cantonese phrase in their marketing campaign ?
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Thoughts from last week
Matthew Chen, 14, Independent School Foundation
Recently, a gene-edited pig’s liver was successfully transplanted into a 71-year-old man, a forefront effort in developing xenotransplantation. Yet the negative repercussions of this new technology are not to be overlooked.
The ever-growing demand for organs compels mankind to search for an alternative solution. With pigs showing high genetic similarity to humans, scientists have been exploring the concept of using animal organs since the 1900s.
Pigs used for organ transplantation are genetically modified to support the human body, and this creates suffering for the pig.
Studies have shown that pigs are intelligent, sensitive, and emotional beings. Genetic modification measures can limit a pig’s expression of natural behaviour and cause intense pain and distress. Hence, xenotransplantation technology infringes on fundamental animal rights.
Considering the high demand for organ transplantation, the possibility of illegal pig organ trafficking is also very high.
The commercialisation of this new technology will be a lucrative business, but that means governments will have difficulty regulating ethical, safe, and legal procedures.
Pig organ transplantation might involve spreading pig viruses into the human body.
A transplantation experiment at the University of Maryland Medical Centre in 2022 failed to detect a lethal porcine cytomegalovirus in the pig organ.
While we must acknowledge this new technology’s immense life-saving benefits, we must be more prepared with policies and regulations to ensure the safety and welfare of animals and humans alike.
Read more about this topic here
Read and observe
The Chinese love for char siu is strong – so strong, in fact, that frustrated parents often resort to hollering, “Giving birth to char siu is better than giving birth to you”.
The not-so-subtle meaning of the phrase is that a slab of barbecued pork would be infinitely better than their disappointing offspring.
The Singapore outpost of the Crystal Jade restaurant chain used this phrase for a promotion to celebrate Parents’ Day. The restaurant is offering a free plate of char siu on selected days in June if diners bring their parents and have them recite the phrase in Cantonese.
In a promotional video on the restaurant’s social media, a stern mother scolds her daughter for never picking up her phone and for always leaving the house early and returning late. A plate of barbecued pork arrives on the table, and the daughter sweetly places a piece in her mother’s bowl. The video ends with the phrase, “Be better than a char siew”.
While intended to be lighthearted, Crystal Jade’s use of the phrase has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Internet users have roasted the restaurant, calling the ad demeaning and even suggesting the marketing staff should be sacked. However, not everyone is critical. Some have pointed out that the phrase is in common use and that it’s a lighthearted reference in Cantonese families, not a reflection of their love for their children.
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A spokesman for Crystal Jade Group clarified that the advertising campaign was intended to “bring a touch of lightheartedness to the Mother’s and Father’s Day weekends” by referencing a Cantonese saying.
“We intended this to be a way for us to connect with our Cantonese-speaking audience in a relatable and humorous manner. However, we understand that humour can be subjective, and regret that this particular reference missed the mark and has caused unhappiness among some customers.”
Crystal Jade is not the first restaurant chain to use the char siu quip in its marketing. Other restaurant chains, brands, social media influencers and authors have utilised this phrase.
Staff writers
Research and discuss
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Do you think it is appropriate for companies to use the Cantonese “char sui” phrase for a marketing stunt when the saying could be demeaning?
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What do you think this does to the image of Cantonese speakers?