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February 22, 2005: After Dr. Lindsay Allen of the U.S. Agricultural Research Service said that, “A vegan diet was so lacking in necessary nutrients that it is tantamount to child abuse,” it caused an uproar in the vegan community at large. Firstly, the announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science by a reputable person. Secondly after researching Dr. Allen’s claim, it was found that the study was conducted on African children whose primary diet was corn and beans. After introducing meat into their diet, the children’s health improved. However the article points out, “Dr. Allen’s basis for this bizarre and completely unfounded declaration was her experience in Africa. Children who had been eating nothing but corn and beans were given a little meat and their health improved. Not children on a normal, healthy vegan diet – children who had been eating nothing but corn and beans. Adding almost anything to their diet would have caused improvement.” Thirdly, the study was paid for by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association which should automatically make the findings subject to closer scrutiny. Critics also attacked the ethics of the study, which involved doing nothing for one group of children as a “control,” letting them continue to suffer malnutrition.

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