bonemeal
J.E. Shields (Fri, 23 Jan 2004 12:04:27 PST)

Hi,

Putting on my professional hat (biochemist, protein chemist), I would say
that there has to be a possibility of contracting BSE through bone
meal. The BSE agent is known as a "prion". A prion is a rearranged version
of a normal body protein. The rearranged form, actually refolded, is then
pathogenic. Steam does not inactivate it; and neither, obviously, do
digestive enzymes in the gut. Breathing the dust should work even better
than eating it, if you want to contract the disease. Its manifestation in
humans is known as vCJD, or the fast acting variant of Creuzfeld-Jacob Disease.

People who want to sell you bonemeal and other animal byproducts will
vigorously dispute this. There are also people who dispute that we are
undergoing global warming. In cases where future personal profits are
involved, the value of the opinions offered should be seriously questioned.

I have banished all forms of bone meal from my garden, permanently. It is
not worth the risk. Even though that risk should be very small, it is not
equal to zero. Getting vCJD would be a really unpleasant way to die.

Jim

James E Shields, PhD
retired biochemist & protein chemist

At 12:18 PM 1/23/2004 -0500, Jim McK. wrote:

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA