Before AI: The Role of Animal Proteins in Shaping Human Intelligence – European Parliament
I presented my book In Lucy’s Footsteps – An Evolutionary Journey at the European Parliament, opening a discussion on one of the most fundamental yet overlooked questions of our time: what made human intelligence possible?
The debate brought together policymakers, scientists, and analysts to reflect on the relationship between nutrition, evolution, and the future of public health.
Find out more about the presentation here.
Before AI: The Role of Animal Proteins in Shaping Human Intelligence
While much of today’s conversation is focused on Artificial Intelligence, we risk overlooking the biological foundations of human intelligence. Long before algorithms and machines, the human brain evolved through a complex adaptive process, strongly influenced by access to nutrient-dense foods, including animal proteins. This is not a matter of ideology, but of evolutionary biology.
The discussion highlighted a growing paradox: the very elements that supported human development are increasingly questioned, from a health, environmental, and ethical perspective. These are legitimate concerns. However, they are often addressed through oversimplified narratives that fail to capture the complexity of food systems, human physiology, and societal needs.
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A key takeaway from the exchange is that the challenge is not elimination, but balance. Nutrition should not be reduced to binary categories such as “good” or “bad.” Instead, it requires a systemic understanding that integrates dietary diversity, lifestyle, scientific evidence, and cultural context. The Mediterranean diet remains a relevant example: not a restrictive model, but a balanced and adaptable framework.
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The environmental and ethical dimensions were also discussed. Livestock production does have an impact, but it is neither uniform nor static. Innovation, improved practices, and technological advancements are already contributing to more sustainable and responsible systems. The same applies to animal welfare, which must be addressed through continuous improvement rather than simplistic exclusion.
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Ultimately, the discussion reinforced a broader message: without food security, there is no security. And without a science-based approach to nutrition, there can be no effective public health policy.
Understanding where we come from, as Lucy reminds us, is essential to making informed decisions about where we are going.
