SKEPTICISM AND SCIENCE - RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONIST

Comparative nutritionists are asked to formulate diets for over 3,000 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fi sh, and invertebrates. Little research has been conducted to provide a n information base for this task, and both popular and scientific publ ications contain factual errors and irrational concepts that confuse t he user. When data are suspect and theories do not make sense, they sh ould be viewed skeptically. Untruths should not be perpetuated by uncr itical repetition, and unsubstantiated information should be replaced as promptly as possible through controlled scientific study. Progress in this field can best be made through the cooperative efforts of qual ified individuals. The ultimate personal reward should be the health a nd welfare of the animals we propose to feed. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc .