This article about the Chinese fur industry creeped me out, so it's probably giving PETA conniption fits!

The industry, which has grown at a yearly average of 10% since 2004, is looking to science to help them be more...productive. As in, producing more animals to skin (allegedly alive) for Russians to wear during frigid northern winters.

Bunnies seem to be able to procreate fast enough to meet the demand for their pelts, but other species, like fox and raccoon dogs are too darned slow.

To goose the process, so to speak, Chinese scientists have been brought in to explore technologies like artificial insemination. The fertility treatments are also thought to improve the quality of the fur by reducing the inevitable in-breeding that occurs on fur farms.

You don't have to be Tim Gunn, or to have watched those grisly PETA videos of how Chinese fur farms kills the animals, to find this sickening. What a disgusting and unnecessary -- and utterly senseless -- waste of resources, not to mention cruel to the animals.

I don't love fur, but I can appreciate the beauty and luxury of a really well designed item. Growing up in the Northeast, I've worn my share of rabbit lined gloves and vintage mink stoles. I remember my aunt having a gorgeous silver fox coat that was incredible.

But now that we know how cruel the farms are, and there are so many other functional options -- hello, thinsulate anyone? -- fur is simply unnecessary and unacceptable.

Ironically, now that we don't need it, the farms in China have made fur so inexpensive and accessible that it's no longer rare or a luxury. it's common and cheap, in every sense of the expression.

To me, that devaluation is the saddest part. It shouldn't make a difference, but I think fur was more acceptable back when we at least cherished the skins that these mean little minks gave up for our vanity. Now it's practically disposable, and that's tragic.