Microbiology: Principles and Explorations 9th Edition

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11874-316-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-11874-316-4

Chapter 10 - Viruses - Explorations On The Web - Page 310: 1

Answer

The Fore tribes of Papua New Guinea practiced endocannibalism or transumption of dead family members at mortuary feasts. The deceased family members were traditionally cooked and eaten due to their belief that it will free the spirit of the dead. This ritual was ended in late 1950s. Kuru disease is an incurable and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the transmission of abnormally folded proteins. The disease is characterized by body tremors, gradual loss of coordination and random outburst of laughter. The disease is common in children and women because they usually consume the brain where the infectious prions are concentrated. This allows the transmission of kuru.

Work Step by Step

The Fore tribes of Papua New Guinea practiced endocannibalism or transumption of dead family members at mortuary feasts. The deceased family members were traditionally cooked and eaten due to their belief that it will free the spirit of the dead. This ritual was ended in late 1950s. Kuru disease is an incurable and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the transmission of abnormally folded proteins. The disease is characterized by body tremors, gradual loss of coordination and random outburst of laughter. The disease is common in children and women because they usually consume the brain where the infectious prions are concentrated. This allows the transmission of kuru.
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