(SQAUK) — In a fact that sounds more like fiction, cannibalism is not explicitly illegal in 49 out of 50 U.S. states. The only state where it’s outlawed directly is Idaho, where it’s a felony. Elsewhere, cannibalism is prosecuted under tangential crimes like murder, desecration of a corpse, or other moral transgressions. This loophole allows people to consume human flesh under certain legal conditions as long as it doesn’t involve an illegal act. While actual instances are rare and disturbing, this legal leniency adds to the unsettling questions about the content of our food.
Recent reports have revealed that human teeth and DNA fragments have been found in meat products from major fast-food chains, raising significant public concern. McDonald’s, in particular, has been accused of having human DNA in its hamburgers and sausage patties. Although these allegations are often dismissed as urban legends, they resonate with the public, prompting troubling questions about our knowledge of what we consume and what is legally permitted in our food.
The iconic 1973 sci-fi thriller Soylent Green presents a dystopian vision of a world devastated by overpopulation and food shortages. In the film, a futuristic society grapples with a severe food crisis, relying on the Soylent Corporation to produce a food product called Soylent Green to feed the masses. However, a disturbing truth is revealed: the primary ingredient in Soylent Green is human flesh. While this story is fictional, its themes resonate today as we face a world where corporations increasingly dominate the food industry, often prioritizing profit over transparency and ethical considerations.
Soylent Green’s grim future serves as an allegory, warning of a food industry that might one-day value profit over people—perhaps even humanity itself. Although we haven’t yet reached the extremes depicted in the film, the mounting evidence of contaminated fast-food products reminds us that today’s reality may be uncomfortably close to Hollywood’s cautionary tale.
Over the past decade, multiple accounts have surfaced alleging the discovery of human tissue in processed fast-food items. Some reports allege that human DNA and even teeth fragments have been identified in meat products at significant chains, fueling conspiracy theories and genuine fear about what’s going into our food. While most of these cases are publicly denied or attributed to error, they expose a worrying lack of transparency in food production.
For instance, McDonald’s has consistently denied allegations of human DNA or other contaminants in its food products. However, independent lab testing and investigative journalism sometimes produce results that make consumers skeptical of the chain’s assurances. Since food production facilities are often poorly regulated and processes can allow for trace amounts of “foreign matter,” consumers can never be entirely sure about what they are being served.
As corporations grow more powerful and governments appear increasingly lenient, the American food industry risks slipping into a dystopian trajectory. Growing populations, environmental degradation, and dwindling natural resources could all pave the way for food alternatives prioritizing efficiency over ethics. As governments approve lab-grown meats and biotech giants move into the food industry, the question becomes whether these innovations serve humanity or exploit consumers.
The risk of corporate overreach in the food sector could lead to a future similar to that of Soylent Green, where transparency is sacrificed for profit. With stricter regulations and ethical standards in place, consumers may help prevent a future where the source and content of their food remain unclear.
While the idea of human DNA in fast food might sound outrageous, it underscores the need for increased awareness and stricter regulations in the food industry. As long as loopholes related to practices like cannibalism exist—and companies continue to exploit consumers’ trust for profit—the future of food serves as a cautionary tale we should take seriously.
