The Naive Vegetarian

There is at present a growing trend towards vegetarianism. One of the results of the 'healthy' diet's recommendation to eat less red meat has been an increasing numbers of people who are becoming vegetarians. Polls carried out in 1988 and 1989 indicated that some three percent of British subjects called themselves vegetarian or vegan -- a slight increase on figures obtained during the previous four years -- but a number that has grown still further since. Motivations given included disapproval of intensive animal farming methods, rejection of animal slaughter, dislike of the taste or texture of meat, and about half of those polled mentioned health concerns.

This paper looks at our evolution using data from archaeological and anthropological studies of bones and fossils spanning some four million years to show that there is no doubt that, as a species, we have evolved to eat a mainly carnivorous diet.

Full article: Second Opinions - Barry Groves, PhD