Scientists: humans may be plant eaters, genetically

Liver studies hint vegies suit humans
31 August 2006

Scientists studying kidney-stone diseases have stumbled across evidence
that humans may be genetically more suited to vegetarianism than meat
eating.

The discovery was made when the placement of an enzyme known as AGT,
which is linked to the rare kidney-stone disease PH1, was found in one
area of the liver in herbivores and another in carnivores, Professor
Chris Danpure, of University College London, said yesterday.

Evolutionary science indicated that about 10 million years ago the
distribution of the enzyme in human ancestors appeared to change from
favouring a omnivorous diet to plant eating.

Humans began eating meat only in the past 100,000 years, a habit which
has increased dramatically in recent times.

"It would appear that the diet we have now is incompatible with the
distribution of this enzyme, which was designed for a herbivore diet,
not meat eating," he said.

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