Abstract
In response to Evelyn Pluhar'sWho Can Be Morally Obligated to Be a Vegetarian? in this journal issue, the author has read all of Pluhar's citations for the accuracy of her claims and had these read by an independent nutritionist. Detailed analysis of Pluhar's argument shows that she attempts to make her case by consistent misappropriation of the findings and conclusions of the studies she cites. Pluhar makes sweeping generalizations from scanty data, ignores causal explanations given by scientists, equates hypothesis with fact, draws false cause conclusions from studies, and in one case claims a conclusion opposite of what the scientist published. Such poor reasoning cannot be the basis of an argument for moral vegetarianism. A broader search of the literature and attention to reviews and textbooks in nutrition shows that each of Pluhar's claims is suspect or incorrect. Pluhar has not undermined my central claims: even if animals have certain rights and well-planned vegetarian diets are safe in complex industrialized societies, these diets cannot be so regarded if the presuppositions of high levels of wealth, education, and medical care do not exist; and, women, children, the aged and some ill persons are at greater risk on restrictive vegan diets. Thus, any duty of moral vegetarianism is not categorical but provisional in nature.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bothwell, T.H., R.D. Baynes, B.J. MacFarlane, and A.P. MacPhail. 1989. Nutritional Iron Requirements and Food Iron Absorption.Journal of Internal Medicine 226(5): 357–65.
Bourne, T., K. Reynolds, and S. Campbell. 1991. Ovarian Cancer Screening.European Journal of Cancer 27(5): 655–59.
Carter, J.P., T. Furman, and H.R. Hutcheson. 1987. Preeclampsia and Reproductive Performance in a Community of Vegans.Southern Medical Journal 80(6): 692–97.
Cramer, D.W., B.L. Harlow, W.C. Willett, W.R. Welch, D.A. Bell, R.E. Scully, W.G. Ng, and R.C. Knapp. 1989. Galactose Consumption and Metabolism in Relation to the Risk of Ovarian Cancer.Lancet (July 8): 66–71.
Curtis, J.A., S.W. Kooh, D. Fraser, and M.L. Greenberg. 1983. Nutritional Rickets in Vegetarian Children. 1983.Canadian Medical Association Journal 128: 150–52.
Dallman, P.R. 1989. Iron Deficiency: Does It Matter?Journal of Internal Medicine 226: 367–72.
Dawson-Hughes, B. 1991. Calcium Supplementation and Bone Loss: A Review of Controlled Clinical Trials.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54(Supplement): 247S-80S.
Dwyer, J.T. 1991. Nutritional Consequences of Vegetarianism.Annual Review of Nutrition 11: 61–91.
Dwyer, J.T., E.M. Andrew, C. Berkey, I. Valadian and R.B. Reed. 1983. Growth in “New” Vegetarian Preschool Children Using the Jenss-Bayley Curve Fitting Technique.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 37: 815–27.
Dwyer, J.T., R. Palombo, H. Thorne, I. Valadian, and R.B. Reed. 1978. Preschoolers on Alternate Life-Style Diets.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 72: 264–70.
Fairbanks, V.F., J.L. Fahey, B. Ernest. 1971.Clinical Disorders of Iron Metabolism. New York, NY: Grune and Stratton. 2nd ed.
George, K.P. 1990. So Animal a Human, or the Moral Relevance of Being an Omnivore.Journal of Agricultural Ethics 3 (2): 172–186.
Giere, R.N. 1991.Understanding Scientific Reasoning. 3rd ed. Ft. Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
Hegsted, D.M. 1986. Calcium and Osteoporosis.Journal of Nutrition 116: 2316–19.
Hercberg, S. and P. Galan. 1989. Biochemical Effects of Iron Deprivation.Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 361 (Supplement): 63–70.
Levy, E.M., J.C. Beldekas, P.H. Black, R.H. Lerman, M.C. Cottrell, and L.H. Kushi. 1985. Patients With Kaposi Sarcoma Who Opt For No Treatment.Lancet (July) 27: 223.
Matkovic, V., K. Kostial, and I. Simonvic. 1979. Bone Status and Fracture Rates in Two Regions of Yugoslavia.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 32: 540–9.
McDonald, R. and C.L. Keen. 1988. Iron, Zinc and Magnesium Nutrition and Athletic Performance.Sports Medicine 5:3 (May): 171–84.
Nordin, B.E.C. 1966. International Patterns of Osteoporosis.Clinical Orthopedics 45: 17–30.
Parks, Y.A. and B.A. Wharton. 1989. Iron Deficiency and the Brain.Acta Pediatrica Scandinavica 361 (Supplement): 71–7.
Peacock, M. 1991. Calcium Absorption Efficiency and Calcium Requirements in Children and Adolescents.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54(Supplement): 261S-5S.
Pluhar, E. 1992. Who Can Be Morally Obligated to Be a Vegetarian?Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 4.
Pollitzer, W.S. and J.J.B. Anderson. 1989. Ethnic and Genetic Differences in Bone Mass: A Review with a Hereditary vs. Environmental Perspective.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 50: 1244–59.
Regan, T. 1983.The Case for Animal Rights. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Riggs, L.B., H.W. Wahner, L.J. Melton III, L.S. Richelson, H.L. Judd, and W.M. O'Fallon. 1987. Dietary Calcium Intake and Rates of Bone Loss in Women.Journal of Clinical Investigation 80: 979–82.
Roberts, L. 1988. Diet and Health in China.Science 240: 27.
Robertson, L., C. Flinders, and B. Ruppenthal. 1986.The New Laurel's Kitchen. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
Rodysill, K.J. 1987. Postmenopausal osteoporosis—Intervention and Prophylaxis. A Review.Journal of Chronic Diseases 40(8): 743–60.
Rose, D.P., M. Goldman, J.M. Connolly, and L.E. Strong. 1991. High-Fiber Diet Reduces Serum Estrogen Concentrations in Premenopausal Women.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54: 520–5.
Sandler, R.B., C.W. Slemenda, R.E. LaPorte, J.A. Cauley, M.M. Schramm, M. Lynn Barresi, and A.M. Kriska. 1985. Postmenopausal Bone Density and Milk Consumption in Childhood and Adolescence.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42: 270–74.
Science. 1986. Research News: How Important is Dietary Calcium in Preventing Osteoporosis?Science (August 1): 519–20.
Scrimshaw, N. 1991. Iron Deficiency.Scientific American (October): 46–52.
Soysa, P. 1987. Women and Nutrition. In: Energy. Nutrition of Women, edited by G.H. Bourne.World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics 52: 1–70.
Simoons, F.J. 1982. A Geographic Approach to Senile Cataracts.Digestive Diseases and Sciences 27(3): 257–64.
Stevenson, J.C., M.I. Whitehead, M. Padwick, J.A. Endacott, C. Sutton, L.M. Banks, C. Freemantle, T.J. Spinks, and R. Hesp. 1988. Dietary Intake of Calcium and Post-Menopausal Bone Loss.British Medical Journal 297: 15–17.
Zemel, M.B. 1988. Calcium Utilization: Effect of Varying Level and Source of Dietary Protein.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 880–3.
Zhu, H. 1990.Chung Hau I Hsueh Tsa Chih 70:5(May): 248–51, 18 [English abstract].
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
George, K.P. The use and abuse of scientific studies. J Agric Environ Ethics 5, 217–233 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01966361
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01966361