Reply #43: Okay, you've got three different arguments there. [View All]

1. Argument from evolution: This is a bit silly, since all sorts of things shaped human evolution that don't have any significant effect on the average human. There's a pretty good argument that the upward pressure on intelligence had more to do with avoiding predation than anything else, but in any case, it's not entirely relavent to this issue. We have no reason to believe that humans were consuming the milk of other animals until very recently, and most humans aren't even well adapted to do so, since they lack the ability to break down lactose. The argument from evolution would, however, support eating insects, since there's a long evolutionary history of doing that.

2. Argument from fear of legumes: Who mentioned soy? It's a pretty common allergen, and certainly people who have any concern about it's potential effect on their health can certainly choose to avoid it. There are no shortage of alternative plant proteins that are as healthful or more so. It's important to note, for those who do eat soy foods, that non-GMO and organic (which have to be non-GMO) soyfoods are widely available, and I would suggest that people who eat soy stick with them.

3. Argument from lesser poisoning: First of all, since the first mention of soy on the thread was yours, I'm not sure what comparing soy and dairy has to do with anything. People who make the wise decision to abstain from dairy products certainly don't have to substitute soy for them. There are rice, oat, almond and hemp based milks, or one can simply prepare foods that don't simulate dairy milk at all. In any case, this argument is contrary to evidence, as people who avoid dairy and other animal products have significantly lower body burdens of pesticides and other toxins than people who eat vegetarian diets that include dairy, let alone those who eat dairy and meat, who have the highest body burdens of all.