This one is controversial!Would you eat another human being in order to survive?
By Andrew
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
United Kingdom
November 2, 2009 6:43am CST
I decided to create this discussion and I hope that it really gets people thinking about what they would do in a particular scenario! This sounds really horrible I know but there was a certain group of people that had to do this in order to survive, a true story as it were. You probably remember the story about a football team and how their plane crashed over the Andes mountains. There was also a film based on it called 'Alive'. I saw the movie and it was truly shocking. They made the horrific decision to start eating those that had died in the crash and as a result of this action, this decision, they survived to tell the tale. So, my question is, what you would do if you were involved in a similar scenario? This is probably a horrible thing to even think about but what lengths would you go to in order to survive? I leave this with you! Andrew
10 people like this
34 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Nov 09
Hi Andrew, I think you're actually referring to the Uraguian rugby team. They did receive criticism from some quarters for doing what they did but not from the relatives of those they were forced to use in order to survive. People close to them realised that they were caught in a terrible ethical dilemna and they had no other choice. Most were repulsed by what they had to do but realised they had to overcome this in order to survive themselves. They made a pact amongst themselves to help each other out in this way if further deaths occured. They didn't commit murder in order to live, they used only what was available. Yes I would do the same, these survivors by no means did it lightly.
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@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Nov 09
I think immediately after the event most of the survivors were embarrsassed by the fact that they became national heroes in Uraguay, whilst a lot of the world press completely sensationalised the whole matter by focusing only on what they ate to survive. It really was much more complex than that. 'Alive' gives much more details of the full event and searches whilst the Parrado book sets some facts straight but is more of a personal insight.
1 person likes this
@greenfeathers (1206)
• United States
2 Nov 09
Idealisticly..No way! Realisticly? Reality has a nasty habit of twisting idealisms in strange ways..So, realisticly, I should hope not but I 'really' don't know for sure..enjoy!
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 09
That makes sense! I guess we don't know how we would react until we are placed in a situation like that. The majority of the group were God fearing and had religious beliefs. However, their debate was quite fearce regarding the consequences of such a horrendus course of action. I hope that I'm never placed in a situation like that. Andrew
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@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
3 Nov 09
i saw that movie when it first came out. some of them refused to eat another human and preferred to die instead. and i remember when they talked with the survivors that were rescued, they asked them what humans tasted like. a person responded that humans taste like chicken.
i am a vegetarian anyway. if i am not going to eat animal meat, i sure as hell not going to eat human meat.
2 people like this
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 09
Yes, I have the movie and it's a real inspiration but it is also a very sad movie and it brought a few tears to my eyes at the time, I'm quite a sensitive person at heart. I'm sure something like that would put people off flying forever but it's still the safest way to travel I think. Andrew
1 person likes this
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
2 Nov 09
humm i think i could if i had no choice in the matter, but only if i knew for sure they didnt have some kind illness that i could get by eating them..
i know if someone would eat me they be good for at least a week
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@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
5 Nov 09
[b]"No choice in the matter?" There is always a choice. One may choose between the salvation of one's body, & salvation of one's soul. I choose the latter.
Maggiepie
IMPEACH HIM.[/b]
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 09
This is definitely a hard situation to have to face. I think that it would be hard to establish whether the victim had a disease or not but I know that if I were placed in that situation then I would have to eat regardless. I could visit a hospital later on and receive any neccessary treatment, it would be very important to just get off that mountain. Andrew
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@marguicha (219877)
• Chile
2 Nov 09
I am chilean and old. That means I remember the real story. The people crashed on the top of the Andes. There was only snow there, not even a single tree or herb. It was a miracle that they were found even if one of them went to find help. That, itself, was another miracle.
After remembering the episode, I wouldn´t be able to talk lightly about eating or not another human being. And I wouldn´t know what I would do in the same situation. Anyway, now I wouldn´t have the chance to survive that way. They survived not only because they ate human meat but because they were extremely young and strong.
Once in a while I think of them and how they must be scarred by that all their lives.
Take care!
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 09
Hello marguicha, it's a real honour to have someone like yourself contribute to this discussion as you witnessed the real news story at the time. I'm just so amazed at what took place high up on that mountain. I sometimes wonder how the survivors got on with their lives in the aftermath of this truly horrific event. Anyway, I have the movie and I treasure it, it's a real tear jerker and I did shed a few tears myself when I watched it for the first time. Thanks for your contribution. Andrew
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
I don't think I would be able to do that. I would rather eat my clothes when there is nothing more to eat. In a scenario of a plane crash, first thing that I would do would be to look for food which might had been thrown from the crash. I am sure there are also other things to eat where the plane crashed, ex. fruits, birds, bird eggs, fish. I hope they don't run out until someone catches sight of me and save me.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@marguicha (219877)
• Chile
2 Nov 09
I am a chilean and I can tell you that there was NO FOOD where they ctrashed. It was the top of a mountain in the middle of the Andes. The was only snow. Nothing can survive there. Even the snow does not replace water as it doesn´t have the minerals the human beings need.
Planes and search parties went to look for them. Their parents came from Uruguay to help as they were rich people. In our country (that lies on the side of the Andes) we have wonderful search teams among our military men. Everything was done.
I call their survival a miracle.
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 09
The environment in which the plane crashed was extremely hostile and there was no food available. They would have had to do something in order to survive, the whole mountain was covered in snow and I'm guessing that conditions would have been very extreme. I don't know how I would react if I was placed in that situation but I'm thinking that I probably would have taken the same course of action. Andrew
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
2 Nov 09
It would be a very difficult situation to be in. I hope and pray that nothing of that sort would put me in their shoes.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
3 Nov 09
I wouldn't. That would be against my principle. Instead, I would try my very best to look for plants or something which I could survive on. Like catch a fish, or look for plants which are edible; anything at all. Anything, but to eat a human. I'll look for real food or I'll die trying. Good topic here.
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@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
4 Nov 09
On another note, you are right, Andrew. Perhaps in a real terrible and dire situation, when one is hungry and really having no choice, that would be the only solution ever. Sometimes, we do not know whether our principles are in running unless we are really tested. Good talking..
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 09
It would definitely be against my principles as well but I'm thinking that I would have to do this in order to survive. In the climate that they were in there wasn't any form of plant life and the environment was extremly hostile. Still, I know it's graphic but by doing what they did they were able to carry rations with them in order to leave the scene of the crash site, climb the mountain and seek help. I wouldn't want to be involved in a situation like that, we just don't know how people would react really. Andrew
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@wolveren (1586)
• Cebu, Philippines
3 Nov 09
Yup I saw a movie once about that story. Really very gross. But if you ask me, I would find other means to survive. Eating everyone else would be last on my list. I'd rather go hunt for food by all means. If I was in that situation I would decide to go hunting for the whole pack myself with or without the others help. Survival is a must. Since we were endowed with better brains than most animals, I think it's totally not impossible to create make shift weapons from the debris of the fallen aircraft. First go hunt for animals with fur, eat them and bring them back for the others. ![](/Content/images/emotes/ninja.gif)
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 09
Well, that's interesting and definitely a step that the survivors should have taken but I'm not sure they would have had much luck as they were on this huge mountain and it would go on for miles and miles in all directions. I don't think there would be any kind of wildlife that high up. I guess they thought long and hard about all their options before finally making the hardest decision in their lives. The site is a memorial now and I think they have an iron cross up there. The music that went with the film was very sorrowful and I had to listen to the music right to the end. Andrew
@wolveren (1586)
• Cebu, Philippines
4 Nov 09
Well I guess no matter how high up a mountain is I'm sure there are wildlife suitable for its climate. It's called ecosystem. If there are trees and plants and water for sure there are many kind of creatures that share with its ecosystem. Very cold and snowy climate wildlife would be snowrabbits, deers, bears, wolves, even birds and some snakes. Even in the highest mountains of the Himalayas there hundreds of wildlife, you just need to go hunt for them. The best place to start would be among the trees, burrows, caves and also if you can find a river or stream which is vital to nature's ecosystem even at very cold temperatures. Unlike in a desert which is harder to find any kind of wildlife since most of them burrow in the sand away from the direct heat, which is also totally impossible to go around hunting without dehydrating first. ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
3 Nov 09
As I read the title of your discussion friend. It seems that I vomiting...I don't think I can do that. It is better to look for insect, snake or any other lives within if there be than to eat another human or perhaps it is better to die than to eat...?
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
4 Nov 09
Hello aerous, yes the title seems to be very off putting! Well, it's not something to be taken lightly but the survivors had to do something in order to survive and so they did this. I would want to continue living myself. I feel that it was important that their story was told so that others can begin to grasp what it must have been like. Andrew
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@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
3 Nov 09
No I do not think that I could ever do that and there would be no need to unless I was stranded in the snow in a very barren region. There is all sorts of food all around us in nature. There is an abundance of edible plants out there all around us, but most people just do not realise what they can and cannot eat! ![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 09
That makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately for the survivors of the Andes air disaster there was nothing available to them and they were stuck up there on that mountain. I understand what you are saying though. I actually bought one of those small sas survival handbooks and it's small enough to stick in your pocket. It's a useful little book and it tells you all about what you can and cannot eat. I thinking that it would be a good idea to carry this around everywhere with me as we never know what is around the corner and what we may become involved in. Thanks for your thoughts on this. Andrew
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
4 Nov 09
Yeah, I know, I saw the movie years ago! That sounds like a great book. I have a handbook here which is aimed at native Australian edible plants, which is really great although it is too big for a pocket, but it would easily fit into a backpack. I will have to remember to take it with me when I am out on bush walks! ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@aulius111 (330)
• Australia
3 Nov 09
That's a pretty shocking story and i'm not sure I would do that but you don't quite know these things untill it actually happens so maybe to ensure my survival I would.
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@aulius111 (330)
• Australia
3 Nov 09
Yes I think I might see it, it seems like a pretty moving film and shocking.
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 09
Yes, dinner for five
and boy did it change them forever! Some of the group were very religious and prayed constantly and it must have been very painful to have to make a decision like this. The important thing is they were able to go on living and share their experiences. It's a situation I hope I never have to face in my life time! Andrew
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@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
19 Jan 10
Hello AndrewFreyne,
What made you think of this now?
I cant say what Id do or wouldnt do. One might think they wouldnt go to that extreme and then when in that situation, go the opposite route.
I hope I never have to take that decision. I honestly cant say what Id do. But whatever those people did, I most certainly dont judge them. Ive seen that movie and it was horrible to see them try to come to a decision.
But if they survived that crash, there must have been a good reason. God works in mysterious ways sometimes.
Im wondering how those people who survived managed after they were rescued and if it changed them.
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 10
I'm pretty sure this experience would have changed them forever! It must have been hugely traumatic and it's not something I would like to have to do myself. Still, the important thing is, they survived and they were able to share their individual stories of survival. Andrew![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 10
Well, now that you mention it I would be quite concerned about that! Still, it's a situation I hope I never find myself in. All credit to those survivors that survived on that mountain that day! Andrew
@fit4lifein07 (719)
• United States
24 Nov 09
I've been asked that question before and I don't think I would LoL by the time I would be done I think I would just puke it all out so either way I think it would be a waste haha yuck
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
24 Nov 09
Yes, it's a very horrible thing to think about but I guess it's a neccessary thing to do in order to survive and move on! I dread to think what was going through their minds on that infamous date! They must have been going through hell and chose this course of action as a last resort! Andrew
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
5 Nov 09
[b]Never. I wouldn't even eat a pet to stay alive, let alone a human! My soul's too valuable to do such a horrific thing! How does that saying in one of the bible's books go? "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul?"
People don't like to hear this, but there are standards & absolutes. It would make me a cannibal to eat a fellow human, & I'd be sending myself straight to hell to let my stomach rule my soul.
Hideous notion! {shudder!}
What would I do? Well, prayer, real prayer, is literal food for the soul. During fast seasons, we Orthodox are taught to subdue hunger & other passions. Prayer is an action that fortifies us. If you devote yourself to deep prayer, you don't feel the hunger. I know this from long experience. So that's what I'd do. You'd be safe on a desert island (or in frozen "Donner Pass) with me.
Maggiepie
IMPEACH HIM.[/b]
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
6 Nov 09
Yes, I understand that prayer is very valuable no doubt. However, they did pray constantly and well, they did what they thought best at the time in order to go on living. There is no way I would do anything like that unless I experienced their situation for myself and even then it would take some extremely serious thinking. Thanks for your thoughts on this. Andrew
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
6 Nov 09
It is definitely a horrible thing to even contemplate, but, most of us, if we were honest with ourselves would do whatever it takes to survive. As unpleasant as that thought is. At the same time, I've fasted before, so, I think I would be able to hold off until the very end. Let's hope it never gets to that for us.
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
6 Nov 09
Ah! Catwoman! How are you? Well, it's one situation I would not want to be a part of! I think that there was great support as there were quite a few survivors and they were all supporting eachother as it were. If there was only one survivor it would be hard to imagine what they would do, I'm not sure that they would have survived though, they probably would have given up the fight! Andrew
@ticuso (127)
• Mexico
4 Nov 09
The subject is gross but it happens, me myself in this situation if the body was decaying forget it but like those people in the story, they were in the snow that makes a big difference and then uncooked I don't know,
but I guess I would, hunger is a mean thing!
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@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
4 Nov 09
That's true! There was no time for the bodies to decay in any way. So, I guess they stuffed their mouths full of snow prior to tasting flesh for the first time, it would not have been nice but they were determined to survive so I guess it was that or die on the mountain. Andrew
@Picquarian (724)
• United States
18 Jan 10
I don't know what I would do. I hope I'm never in that situation. You can't blame someone for doing what they need to do in order to survive.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 10
Yes, I guess they had to do what they did otherwise they would not have survived on that mountain. The movie was very moving and it was interesting to watch how they got on with things! It's truly horrific to think about though and I would never want to be placed in that kind of situation. Andrew![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@amshugonchikar (169)
• India
7 Nov 09
I think I will go to that extent as a last resort. After I fail to find any trees or leaves or any other things, I will resort to that.
1 person likes this
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
7 Nov 09
Yes, that sounds reasonable, they had to do something afterall otherwise they would never have made it off that mountain. It's just good that they are alive and well now. Andrew
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