4 ms·
The mass processing of food could be the additional mechanism allowing mass distribution of prions, no? Through processed foods, an apex predator like humanity
by lumost 3y ago
The mass processing of food could be the additional mechanism allowing mass distribution of prions, no?
Through processed foods, an apex predator like humanity comes into contact with proteins from several orders magnitude more animals than our ancient hunter gatherers or farmers. This problem is compounded as our livestock eat processed foods themselves.
Perhaps prions were not as dangerous for most of evolutionary history as they simply lacked a distribution vector?
- consumer451 3y ago> The mass processing of food could be the additional mechanism allowing mass distribution of prions, no? My grandmother was from "the old country" and would never allow us to buy ground meat in a package. She made us ask the deli to grind her selected cuts, in front of her. Back then, I wrote this off as some kind of old world silliness. I remember being embarrassed about the whole kerfuffle. I know she wasn't thinking of prions, just contamination in general. Now I realize that I was the silly one, and she was very wise.
- rafaelmn 3y agoProbably more about getting known cut/fresh meat. Easier to see what you're buying before it's ground. Also they don't can't sterilize the grinder between customers so doubt it does much for hygiene. This is very common around here.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- Turing_Machine 3y agoI was in grad school with a bunch of people from other countries (a common situation, obviously). Almost to a person, they were deeply suspicious of ground meat.