Hi Nancy Geffkin, Thanks for your interest.
My studies have shown that it is largely two factors which dictate which species of animals will succumb to the traditional forms of TSE. It is those who are both ; 1. genetically susceptible to TSEs. 2. entirely self sufficient upon the 'at risk' ecosystem ( eg high manganese, low copper, high oxidant ). . For example, it is only sheep who succumb to the TSE scrapie in Iceland because they are the only species that are entirely self sufficient on the "at risk" foodchains. Although the local farmers are self sufficient off these soils, they supplement their locally grown diet with plenty of fish / sea food which contain high levels of copper, selenium and zinc ( deficient in the sheep's pasture ) that provides anti-oxidant protection, as well as protection of their prion protein - in respect of manganese being able to substitute itself at the vacant copper domain on prion protein ; when copper is in short supply. Thus copper, etc, from sea food, protects these Icelandic people against prion disease. In TSE "at risk" food chains of the Front Range of Colorado Rockies, it is the deer and elk and sheep that are going down with TSEs. Again, the humans who are resident in this low copper/selenium/zinc region ( whilst exposed to the eco-fall out of silver iodide cloud seeding sprays ( applied to keep the reservoirs topped up with rainwater ) along with the deer, elk, etc ) are largely buying their foods from supermarkets which may (or may not ) be helping to protect them against prion diseases by keeping their copper / selenium / zinc levels adequately replenished. Interestingly, the one indigenous species that has failed to go down with TSE in the Colorado cluster area, is the pronghorn antelope. A good study on Pronghorn has identified their unique ability to conserve both selenium and copper levels whilst thriving off these low copper/selenium foodchains - presumably this is the benefit of evolution at work where they have efficiently adapted themselves to their local environment, whereas the elk and deer who are newcomers to the Rockies in relation to the native Pronghorn have not as yet evolved that capacity for Cu/Se conservation. It appears that the ruminant ( sheep, goat, cow, deer, etc ) is the most susceptible species for TSE. Some of this relates to the prion protein gene which dictates the number of copper atoms that bind to the healthy protein - less binding of copper will create susceptibility to TSE. Ruminants also absorb manganese about four times more efficiently across the gut than single stomach pigs, chickens, horses, etc, who do not get TSEs in the natural world. However, the increase of atmospheric contamination from use of manganese as a lead free fuel replacement, fertiliser and fungicide spray, is placing both ruminant and single stomach mammals alike ( such as humans and cats )at greater risk - because atmospheric manganese particulates can be readily absorbed via the nasal olfactory route directly into the brain - that infamous cocaine-snorting route !! Perhaps this explains why cows, cats and humans sharing the environment of the Queniborough area of leicestershire district in the UK are both going down with vCJD ? But it is a rare genetics that makes a person susceptible to TSEs. So do not worry too much folks. The stress of worry will oxidize your brain cells more efficiently than background doses of insecticides or ozone, etc !!! - but do not get too complacent !! The other question hinges on the level of funding required for my research; A sum of 30, 000 pounds has probably enabled me to carry out all of my eco-analyses trials to date - very modest in terms of what our taxes pay for "no hope" Establishment research projects on TSEs. My funding has come from public well wishers and personal bank loans I have had to raise to keep the work moving forward. I have never been awarded funding from official sources !! Thanks for the question, Best, Mark
