🚀 go-pugleaf

Glenn S. Lyford wrote:
> 
> In article <4ngdqa$ahr@nezsdc.fujitsu.co.nz>, derek@nezsdc.fujitsu.co.nz
> says...
> >There is, however, ample evidence that the practise of feeding
> >animal offal to the other members of the same species is what
> >caused the rapid spread of Mad Cow Disease throughout the
> >British beef industry.
> 
> As I understand it, the by-product being fed is bone meal, and is
> an inexpensive source of trace minerals and calcium.  You can also
> buy it yourself at any health food store.  Species seems to be
> irrelevant, as the meal is usually made from all the bones from all the
> animals processed in the packing facility.  There is some evidence
> (sorry, no reference) that the disease actually started in sheep.
> Someone mentioned a Scientific American article earlier, perhaps they
> can repeat the citation?
> 
> Glenn "I think I'll get my calcium from rocks" Lyford

The leading theory about "mad cow" disease, which is in fact a widely 
accepted theory, is that it is caused by a "prion," which is a 
self-replicating protein molecule.  This was once ridiculed as heresy in 
biochemical circles, but it's accepted now.

These prions are disease organisms that can hardly be said to be alive.  
They aren't even as advanced as viruses, not by a long shot.  They also 
cause "scabies" in sheep and are known to cause a brain disease in 
cannabilistic human societies.  (This is sometimes called "laughing 
disease" because the victims are very happy and exuberant --- until they 
die.)

There are two really bad characteristics of prions: (1) they have a very 
long latency, so it's hard to associate cause with effect, and (2) they 
are very tough.  Nothing short of heating them to a quite high 
temperature will "kill" them (if they can be said to be alive at all).

I wouldn't be at all surpised if prions are eventually determined to 
cause all sorts of mysterious diseases, especially neurological diseases 
such as MS, ALS, and Altsheimer's.

	Steve Barnard

P.S. I'm just a layman in this area.  Are there any experts out there 
who can comment?