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Ellis J. Neiburger, DDS
Waukegan, Ill

JAMA. 1993;270(11):1319.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.

—The recent Medical News & Perspectives article "Ancestors May Provide Clinical Answers, Say 'Darwinian' Medical Evolutionists"¹ suggests that modern diseases can possibly be treated by emulating the diet and life-style of prehistoric (early) man. This idea is based on the low incidence of many modern disorders found in early humans (and third world hunter-gatherer tribes) such as cancer, need for cesarean deliveries, and the like.

The problem is that in emulating prehistoric man's lifestyle we must also accept the hazards of that kind of life. This includes a high child mortality rate (33% die before the age of 5 years), high birthing mortality of women during childbirth, short life span (average life expectancy of 32 years), and increased morbidity due to the ancient killers of humankind: infection, famine, food poisoning, high parasite load, and overwork.

Our ancestors, as well as some living Stone Age tribes, appear . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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