this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
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[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 55 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (7 children)

“Red meat” is annoyingly misleading.

It’s anything with alpha-gal, including a lot of medications and vegan ingredients. This isn’t “exciting” or “ethical.” To anyone excited about this (as I’ve seen in many threads regarding this) - regulations on industries if you want animal ethics but don’t celebrate life-threatening allergies; you come off as a dick.

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 hour ago

Because they are dicks with that attitude

[–] tehn00bi@lemmy.world 10 points 15 hours ago

I lived in an area affected by alpha gal ticks. I personally knew several people affected by it. There is nothing nice about this.

[–] EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

you come off as a dick.

Nah, it you celebrate life threatening allergies, you ARE a dick.

[–] vinnymac@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago

If Trump just happened to find one of these ticks embedded in him, I wouldn’t be upset about it. I might even have a BBQ and invite him

[–] NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

I'm definitely not one of those, but kind of playing devil's advocate, you have to acknowledge that the more people there are who can't/won't take certain meds/ingredients, the more pressure there is on the industry to make alternatives, and this could be a genuine silver lining in an otherwise really shitty situation.

The whole gluten-free craze created a ton of market pressure to produce good, tasty gluten-free foods. This was genuinely fantastic for people with coeliac disease, suddenly there's a ton of options for them to eat at mainstream places! The gluten-free movement (no pun intended) may have been dumb, and maybe it caused some harm (did it?), but it definitely caused a significant amount of good, even if by accident.

I know it's not the same situation and it's still obviously wrong to be happy with what these ticks do, but you can still take the good with the bad.

[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 7 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Current markets seem happier to let poor folks suffer, unfortunately. And generic meds that are produced in countries with little regulation/oversight especially aren’t going to get magically reformulated to needed specifications if they lower profit margins. Even if there was market pressure, the medical solutions would likely be restricted to those who could afford name branded, specially formulated medications.

[–] My_IFAKs___gone@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

At this point, the hyperich are so ungodly rich (in dollars) that it makes more sense for them to make everyone else even poorer than it does for them to acquire even more superfluous superwealth.

Elmo's net worth (~$900B) is set to be more than 3x the total net worth of Austin, TX ($268B). Reducing Austin's worth by $1B has more impact and acquires him more influence than increasing his by $1B.

Welcome to the 2020s, which are simultaneously worse than cinematic dystopias and absolutely more mundane than they are.

I'm just grateful this pathetic excuse for a species hasn't figured out immortality yet. If it ever does, I'll think about permanently opting out. The only everlifers will be the hyperich while everyone else becomes disposable slave labor.

[–] architect@thelemmy.club 2 points 13 hours ago

Living in the past. They dont make things to solve problems anymore. They make things to create problems. So, I’m assuming, people with this will just go on a list of inferior humans for culling.

[–] protist@retrofed.com 10 points 1 day ago

I've read that since alpha-gal is found in the skin cells of cats and dogs, it can even cause severe respiratory allergies around pets

[–] neuroneiro@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Where can I learn more about which medications & vegan food or clothing are affected?

[–] Cort@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well it's in gelatin which is used to encapsulate many medications.

[–] neuroneiro@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago
[–] protist@retrofed.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Some seaweeds and seaweed derivatives contain alpha-gal

[–] neuroneiro@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago

I appreciate that. Thanks.