Unusual questions from loyal blog readers

To what extent can someone who is starving cannibalize his/her self to stay alive? My logic in asking you this question was not, "I'm curious about cannibalism, let me ask the food critic." It was more along the lines of "This is a really obscure and somewhat far-fetched idea and question, Dr. Cowen would probably be the best person to present it to because of his wide range of knowledge and access to an intelligent readership."

That's from M.E.  My answer is: "to a limited extent."  By the way, I am giving a talk tonight, and there is a (substantial) prize being offered for the best question from the audience.