Behavior: Man as a Protein

In a somewhat less facetious vein—but then who knows?—University of Michigan Anthropologists Stanley M. Garn and Walter D. Block examine another area of human eating habits in the current issue of the American Anthropologist journal. Excerpts:

In the many discussions on cannibalism, attention has been given to human flesh as a source of quality protein. A 50-kg. man might yield 30 kg. edible muscle mass if well and skillfully butchered, and 30 kg. edible muscle would yield about 4.5 kg. of protein. Assuming quality protein requirements as 1 gm. per kilogram of body weight, this would provide one day's protein -equirements for...