5) There is a basic principle in science called the rule of parsimony
(or Occam's Razor).  Basically, the rule of parsimony says that given a
number of possible solutions, the simplest solution is generally the most
probable.  This paradigm has withstood the test of time, and has been
frequently cited when showing complicated explanations are faulty.
 
Following Occam's razor, an ad libitum diet is the simplest explanation
for the recent (reported) increase in various related diseases in
ferrets, which may, could, possibly, might, maybe, perhaps include visual
problems, shortened life span, increase in various tumors (especially
those of the skin and digestive and endocrine systems), autoimmunity
problems, and blood sugar regulation problems.  In the next series of
posts (the E-Series), I will discuss the effect of diet on individual
diseases.  Until then, just consider the following argument.
 
Assume insulinoma, adrenal disease, cardiomyopathy, cataracts, obesity
related diseases, and various cancers are NOT related to diet.  How do
you explain their apparent increase- -and it is a REAL increase, as I
will show later in the E-Series- -in modern populations?  Poor genetics
due to breeding?  Environmental toxins, including tobacco smoke,
pesticides, and contaminated foods?  Lack of vet care?  Cage stress?
Poor historic records?  Lack of awareness of ferret needs?  There is a
problem with all of these explanations, most notable being the fact that
these problems have been inherent in ferret lives THROUGHOUT history!
They are NOT new problems, having been a part of the human-ferret
interaction for at least the last few centuries for some, or thousands
of years for others.  Ferrets have been inbred before, have been poorly
caged, exposed to environmental toxins, and any number of things that
currently impact them in modern times.  Here is the problem with the
argument: it assumes a number of modern variables have more impact than
the same variables in the past.  The second problem is, it doesn't follow
the rule of parsimony.  It is a complicated, wandering explanation that
requires a great many variables to come together to force a particular
event.
 
I will explain more of this in depth later (wait for the E posts), but
for now, it is important to realize that if a simpler mechanism can be
found that subsumes some- -or many- -of the current ferret health
problems, then such a mechanism would not only explain ferret health
problems, but also would follow the rule of parsimony.  Ad libitum diets
fit the ticket perfectly.  Study after study demonstrates an ad libitum
diet promotes various tumors, including those impacting the pancreatic,
adrenal, gastrointestinal, skin, and lymphatic systems.  Study after
study demonstrates an ad libitum diet reduces life span, both median and
maximum.  Study after study demonstrates an ad libitum diet promotes
cardiomyopathy, cataracts, liver disease, and cephalic deterioration.
These problems are universal in the animal kingdom for ad libitum diets,
if not in the degree of expression, then at least in the presence of the
phenomenon.
 
Now maybe ferrets are the FIRST exception in the animal kingdom that are
exempt from the positive benefits of dietary restriction.  If so, then
what simple explanation can explain so many problems, and still explain
the observational data?  Whatever explanation is given, as more and more
reasons are added to explain more and more problems, the rule of
parsimony is violated more and more.  Dietary restriction affects the
physiological core of the ferret, which is why it impacts so many diverse
systems.  Think about it; the differences between historic and modern
ferret husbandry can be centered about three basic changes: restricted
caging, neutering, and ad libitum diet.  Of the three, only the ad
libitum diet has been documented to cause problems in the EXACT same
areas where modern ferrets commonly display disease.  If ferrets are an
exemption to the dietary restriction paradigm, then this is a tremendous
coincidence.  But, if they are not an exemption, then the effect is a
perfect example of parsimony.  Considering previous arguments, adding
parsimony makes the chances of ferrets being exempt somewhat remote.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 3962]