Letter: Organic toxins
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: If D J Moby's defence of vegetarianism (The Independent Magazine, 12 June) is anything to go by, a plant-only diet seriously damages your mental health. He needs to go back to school and take GCSE biology before being loosed on an innocent readership.
Humans are classic examples of omnivores and, in fact, their digestive systems are very similar to those of carnivores. Herbivore alimentary canals contain a "bioreactor" in which bacteria digest plant components such as cellulose. (Mammals, even herbivores, cannot do this unaided.) These compartments include the appendix of the rabbit and the cow's rumen. Humans have no such structure.
Herbivore teeth grow continuously throughout life as an adaptation to the wear and tear of eating tough plant material. Carnivore teeth, adapted to a softer diet, have no need of continuous growth.
As for a fridge being an essential requirement for meat-eating, medieval man seemed to manage with salting, smoking and pickling.
PAUL KENTON
Borth, Ceredigion
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments