A couple on the Greek island of Crete have reportedly been banned from adopting children because of their dietary choices.
According to AFP, welfare services fear that the family will pass on their vegetarianism to any child they adopt.
Head of the city's welfare services Spyros Epitropakis said: "We asked the University of Crete medical school on the issue and they said the child's diet must include meat, fish, etc.
"We do not discriminate but we were obliged to check this out. The issue is now in the hands of the judicial authorities."
However, paediatrician and nutrition researcher Antonis Kafatos, whose recommendation was reportedly used by the adoption services, said: "It's unreasonable not to be given the child for being vegetarian.
"A child needs to eat fish, seafood and dairy products among other things, without meat being essential. But if the family has no intention of imposing its diet habits on the child, I don't see where the problem is."
The case will reportedly be examined by the relevant authorities this week.
Source: Digital Spy
This does sound a bit discriminating if you ask me.
Sure, I can see their point a little, but shouldn't the child have a choice when they get to a certain age if they want to be a vegetarian or not? I believe forcing a diet would be wrong at such a young and vulnerable age, but the freedom to choose when they're old enough would be sufficient enough.
According to AFP, welfare services fear that the family will pass on their vegetarianism to any child they adopt.
Head of the city's welfare services Spyros Epitropakis said: "We asked the University of Crete medical school on the issue and they said the child's diet must include meat, fish, etc.
"We do not discriminate but we were obliged to check this out. The issue is now in the hands of the judicial authorities."
However, paediatrician and nutrition researcher Antonis Kafatos, whose recommendation was reportedly used by the adoption services, said: "It's unreasonable not to be given the child for being vegetarian.
"A child needs to eat fish, seafood and dairy products among other things, without meat being essential. But if the family has no intention of imposing its diet habits on the child, I don't see where the problem is."
The case will reportedly be examined by the relevant authorities this week.
Source: Digital Spy
This does sound a bit discriminating if you ask me.
Sure, I can see their point a little, but shouldn't the child have a choice when they get to a certain age if they want to be a vegetarian or not? I believe forcing a diet would be wrong at such a young and vulnerable age, but the freedom to choose when they're old enough would be sufficient enough.