The dangers of cannibalism vary depending on how the cannibal goes about consuming human flesh — whether cooked or raw or fresh or decayed. Although cannibalism is legal in 49 U.S. states, committing the act could still have legal consequences beyond physical hazards. Moreover, drinking human blood — the most popular form of cannibalism — increases the risk of disease transmission. Then there are the social repercussions.
We can all agree that eating people is generally a bad idea in Western culture, but it has happened. Sometimes in dire situations, consuming a corpse was the only way to survive — such as with the Donner Party. Other times, twisted serial killers broke laws and social conventions to cannibalize their victims.
Most cannibalism worldwide, however, didn’t come from need or dark cravings. Rather, it was a ritualistic practice, sacred to tribes across the globe.
Unfortunately, the reasons behind cannibalism don’t change the risks. Whether driven by disturbing hunger or spiritual veneration, the dangers of cannibalism are pretty much the same.
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Health Dangers of Cannibalism
The health risks of cannibalism differ depending on the freshness and doneness of the human flesh a cannibal consumes. A cannibal choosing to eat rancid or decayed meat will run into far more issues than one who eats clean, well-cooked meat.
According to the International Society for Infectious Diseases, cadavers can transfer several human diseases when improperly handled. For the sake of argument, eating human remains counts as improper handling.
The diseases a corpse can transmit include:
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Bacterial infections from Staphylococcus or Streptococcus
- Bloodborne pathogens, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, and viral hemorrhagic fevers
- Tuberculosis
- Meningitis
- Spongiform encephalopathy
- And others
Even if a body is free from infectious bacteria and viruses, eating certain parts can lead to deadly outcomes. Cannibals who eat brains, for example, run the risk of developing Kuru — a deadly prion disease, similar to mad cow. Some sources may say it’s the act of eating human brain matter that causes Kuru, but that’s not the case.
According to a paper in the National Library of Medicine, Kuru was passed through tribes in Papua New Guinea. The prions — misshapen proteins responsible for the disease — would then spread from one infected brain to the next. So, the only risk is in eating a brain that already carries the disease.
However, cannibals can still face serious health issues by eating human liver. This organ is rich in vitamin A, and as a fat-soluble vitamin, it can easily lead to overdose. To put this into perspective: A toxic dose of vitamin A is over 3,000 micrograms, and the average human liver contains roughly 45,000 micrograms — enough to be lethal.
Health Risks of Drinking Human Blood
Drinking human blood is by far the most common form of cannibalism in the United States. While it has slightly different risks than eating human flesh, the dangers of cannibalism still apply.
Disease is the primary issue with drinking human blood, as Healthline explains, and raw blood is particularly dangerous. Viruses, like hepatitis and HIV, can hide in the bloodstream for years without producing outward symptoms. Since many who partake in the modern vampire lifestyle aren’t regularly tested, these diseases become a legitimate concern.
Even cooked blood comes with issues, though this isn’t how blood drinkers usually consume it. Ingesting too much blood in any form can lead to the disorder hemochromatosis. This is caused by the high iron content in blood, and the disease can lead to organ failure or death.
So, while the cannibalistic act of consuming blood may seem edgy, health professionals agree that it’s not worth the risk.
Legal Dangers of Cannibalism and Desecrating Remains
The legal dangers of cannibalism aren’t directly tied to the act itself, since cannibalism is technically legal throughout most of the U.S. However, the entire country and much of the world have outlawed most of the ways a cannibal can procure a meal.
According to Enjuris, it’s illegal to desecrate corpses everywhere in the country. That includes digging up remains or butchering them for your next snack. Any body part taken from a morgue or funeral home would also fall under these laws.
That doesn’t leave many options for satiating cannibalistic desires. No desecrating remains, no forcefully taking flesh from the living, and no murder. Doing any of these will land a cannibal behind bars. The only real way to skirt the legal dangers of cannibalism would be to find a living donor, but that’s probably easier said than done.
Ethical Considerations and Societal Dangers of Cannibalism
Let’s face it — there are plenty of societal dangers of cannibalism, enough for the curious to keep their heads down. Openly consuming human flesh would leave someone an outcast, shunned by society. The only place a person-eater could show their face would be the darkest depths of internet forums.
Of course, there are legitimate reasons for cannibalism. As we mentioned earlier, survival can play a role. Look at the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, for example, where the survivors of the crash ate the dead on top of a snowy mountain. This sustained many of them for two months in a frozen wasteland.
Outside of survival, most cannibalism in human history has been ritualistic. While this may seem odd to Westerners, there’s nothing technically wrong with eating the dead — health risks aside. So, while we aren’t supporting the act of cannibalism, we don’t want to spread propaganda either. From an anthropological perspective, we shouldn’t look down on other cultures for a difference in worldview — even if it involves the ritual eating of human flesh.
