Edward - the idea I was going for is both that the human explorers just decided they'd be likely good to eat, but also, that some Dyani are genetically predisposed to being attracted/turned on by the thought of being eaten. So, the initially eaten Dyani were likely eager volunteers who shared some level of consent, that sparked the rest being quickly captured and placed on the menu, whether they like it or not. Over time, it would make sense the Dyani, in their own native religion, would have an explanation for this "a curse" before more modern advances and education. It's also reasonable to assume that the more docile/eager Dyani were selective bred, keeping the predisposition flowing in their culture.

A question for the reader, and for Ayala, is what the value of the predisposition is. Ayala may have access to higher levels of pleasure and self-realization that other Dyani, but at the risk of her literal life. Abstinence was the choice she made, when others were available, from the most grim (voluntarily hunted and snuffed) to the most balanced. (dealing with it somehow) What the "right" choice is...is meant to be opened ended.