🚀 go-pugleaf

Steve Barnard wrote:
> 
> 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?

Correction: That prion-caused disease in sheep is either "scrapies" ot 
"scapies."  I believe that scabies is a relatively benign skin disease 
caused by mites.

	Steve Barnard