Thanks, Annie, But I suspect that much of what you read is "Rendering Plant Propoganda". I, too have researched this ( read several complete books ) and the top, independent BSE research scientists called prions "like something alien" for their ability to resist destruction, even by total incineration of affected flesh, or blasting with gamma rays ! Really! No kidding !!! They're not "alive" so they can't be "killed". And they're "transgenic" ( pass between numerous species, if exposed. ) The fellow ( Prusiner ? ) who recently won the Nobel prize for his research actually stole much of it from a Hungarian chap ( if I remember correctly ) with very complex name who started back in the 30's, examining a tribe that all came down with it, after the ritual of eating their dead relatives' brains. ( Blechhhhhh ! ) But spongiform encephalopies were recognized first, in the late 19th century. His trials, conducted over decades, proved that it could pass from sheep, to cows, to fish, to birds, to humans, etc.. That "Scrapie", BSE, etc.. are all the same thing, basically. And that it seems to spontaneously "pop up" in about 1 animal per million. BUT, in the current practices of "Agribusiness" where the "slaughterhouse waste" of that one animal is ground up, and mixed with the feed of ( normally vegetarian ) other animals, it can spread to many, but not be detectable in any, because they're slaughtered before it has developed in their bodies in any apparent manner. Though it still may be "infective". Peace, ( Go have an apple. ) G ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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