Cannibalism

Cannibalism (from Caníbales, the Spanish name for the Caribs, a West Indies Earth tribe that formerly practiced cannibalism) is the act or practice of a species eating the flesh or internal organs of other members of that species. It is also called anthropophagy. A person who practices cannibalism is called a cannibal. Many Earth species ranging from insects through humans have or do practice cannibalism.

Union Law and Policy
 Union law does not prohibit cannibalism, as there are societies and member species such as the Bil where ritualistic cannibalism is part of the base culture and religion. However the exploitation of living sentient beings against their will is highly illegal. Eating pieces of your grandfather after he died because it is a traditional religious rite is legal. Rounding up humans and butchering them for meat against their will is not.

 Technically and by Union law a person dying could donate his or her body to whatever end, including as a food source for others. There are no federal laws regarding the treatment of the dead. It was decided that this is an ethical and religious matter different for every society and species. There are numerous local laws prohibiting the consumption of body parts of any sentient life form. Even where there are no local restrictions, the source must be documented and traceable.