RE: ... food irradiation being accepted

["Tom Morgan" <tmorgan@isotopeproducts.com>]

Prions are in fact not inactivated by ionizing radiation at reasonable
doses.  This was one of the tests run by the scientist who discovered
prions, Stanley Pruisner.  It was central to his hypothesis that prion were
pure protein since any other infectious biologic agent containing nucleic
acids (i.e., viruses) should have been inactivated under the conditions he
used.

Thomas L. Morgan, Ph.D.
Director, Health Physics
Radiation Safety Officer
Isotope Products Laboratories
24937 Avenue Tibbitts
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
818-843-1003 x 121
818-558-4087 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
[mailto:radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu]On Behalf Of Zack Clayton
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 10:34 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: ... food irradiation being accepted


Does anyone know if the prion that causes BSE or "Mad Cow Disease" is
deactivated by irradiation?  (My assumption is the causative agent is still
identified as a prion.)  This could be on interest in Europe now and someday
in the rest of the World.  Especially if its jumping species barriers.



Zack Clayton
Ohio EPA - DERR
email:  zack.clayton@epa.state.oh.us
voice:  614-644-3066
fax:        614-460-8249

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