Mad Cow is believed to be cause by what is called a Prion. It is a
protein sequence that replicates when it makes is way into brain cells.
What makes it different than a virus is the lack of a exterior coating.
Even though the research suggesting Prions were the cause of MC occurred
many years ago, this lack of an exterior protective coating resulted in
many researchers not believing that a simple unique protein sequence
could cause disease.
However, it was pointed out that many species, such as worms and
bacteria, are able to exchange DNA, independently of the reproduction
process. This DNA exchange is unprotected and it appears its main
purpose is to exchange immunity to infection information.
Overall, most scientists INTERNATIONALLY now accept the Prion cause of MC.
However, in the US, CJ is classified as a "randomly" occurring disease,
consequently it is not MC. Pretty fine line if you ask me! (Ignoring
OF COURSE the CJ related to deer meat.)
Actually, I know how this fine line game is played. Back in 1984, when
we were working with NIOSH to do the restrospective study of ethylene
oxide exposure. NIOSH decided to include all employees who worked in a
facility where EtO was used, rather than just those highly exposed to
EtO. This, of DILUTED the sample size to such a huge number that no
statistical relation was found. On the other hand, all of us from the
industry decided to count our dead bodies of EtO workers at one meeting.
There was clearly a statistical relationship. Needless to say, we
ignored the NIOSH result and reduced our employee exposures. DON't
think this was done out of the goodness of our hearts. The health care
industry had the "smoking gun" data in its hands and were very affraid
of a class action suit similar to asbestos. So we reduced employee
exposures to prevent possible litigation in the future.
(Again, this situation was just like asbestos. The US government saying
it was OKAY to use in WWII, while industry knew it was a serious health
hazard!)
In England and other countries, as consequence of MC risk, these
countries have banned feed of any spiral cord or brain material to any
other species, chickens, goats, etc.
HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES only prohibited the feeding of spinal cord
and brain materials to COWS. Feeding it to every other species is OKAY.,
Here's an interesting side story about the recent "undocumented" MC
outbreak in the US.
So now we have farmer A who runs out of cattle food and has all of this
other food, with neurological materials for his chickens, goats, etc.
HEY, I can give a little of this to the cows for a few days. NO ONE
WILL EVER KNOW. Well, he was wrong and 20 people ended up dead. It was
a very virulent Prion that infected these people in just a few years!!!
BUT nobody knows about this.
Yes, we no long eat ground meat. either.
The only meat we eat and it is rarely we do so, IS PURE STEAK. Center
cut.
You are also correct, that Prion are virtually indestructible. The
bigger question now is what role has prions played in evolution. Have
they been responsible for some major evolutionary jumps? Like the
ability to develop a complex language with thousands of words as opposed
to most animal languages that have 100 to 400 words. ?
Back to the Home of PROJECT VIXEN