Thinking about why cannibalism has often occurred in human history but is taboo from a mathematical perspective

A research team built a mathematical model quantifying the nutritional gains and pathogen costs of cannibalism.

The model found that repeated cannibalism becomes unsustainable over time as infections spread.

Cultural taboos help suppress cannibalism, offering an evolutionary explanation for why they persist.

Published in PNAS, the study suggests cannibalism may aid short-term survival but raises the risk of population collapse.