Social experiments on people

But, of course, only those other people, like in Guatemala:

Between 1969 and 1977 residents of four villages in eastern Guatemala participated in a strange lottery. Twice a day, in mid-morning and mid-afternoon, villagers were provided free drinks. But in two of the villages, the participants gulped down a fortified protein shake version of the local hot gruel known as atole. In the other two villages they were given fresco, a drink free of protein supplements. Everyone in the village was allowed to participate but detailed records were only kept for pregnant women and children under seven.

"The main purpose of the initial study was to assess the effect of improving protein intake on the mental development of preschool children," wrote the authors of one summary of results from the study. But the eventual goals of a series of follow up studies became much more ambitious. Researchers are now hoping to understand what role proper nutrition at an early age plays in the development of "human capital" and in the potency of humans as economic actors.

Next week, The Lancet will publish a report revealing the latest round of research findings from the Guatemala study. An e-mail sent out on Friday publicizing the piece claims that "The research provides new and compelling evidence that the first two years of life are the window of opportunity when nutrition programs have an enormous impact on a child's development, with life-long benefits, including economic returns to individuals and societies." If you were one of the lucky ones who drank the atole protein shake, cha-ching! But if you were one of the poor suckers who just got the fresco, well, too bad.

Gotta have your protein, Marge...