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From: pmk@prometheus.UUCP (Paul M Koloc)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Re: sterilizing food with radiation
Message-ID: <204@prometheus.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Nov-85 00:38:54 EST
Article-I.D.: promethe.204
Posted: Fri Nov 22 00:38:54 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Nov-85 11:04:04 EST
References: <6202@amdcad.UUCP> <761@ecsvax.UUCP>
Organization: Prometheus II Ltd., College Park, MD
Lines: 42

> >  Phil Ngai +1 408 749-5720 queries:
> > I understand that preliminary tests are being done on the use of
> > radiation to sterilize food. . .
> > . . . My question is, are the results of breaking large molecules
> > at random places likely to be completely innocuous?  I guess the final
> > 
> >  UUCP: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra}!amdcad!phil
> >  ARPA: amdcad!phil@decwrl.dec.com
> 
> There's been research underway on this for some time (I remember hearing
> about it in the 60s).  I've no idea whether it's safe (not being gifted
> with superhuman intelligence), but it's worth noting that food has been
> preserved and chemically altered by exposure to NON-ionizing radiation
> for a long time --- we call it cooking.

Quantum and random modification of gene structures of molecules will 
be made during the initial ionizing radiation sterilization process.  
For example, after ingestion, a quantum modified molecule or fragment 
may be recognized as a clock command which might signal premature cell 
division, thereby triggering the onset of a common disease of cancer.   
Cooking and later chemical processing in the stomach will grossly 
modify the food genetic molecules to the point where they won't be 
accidentally recognized (accepted) as functional by some random cell.    

We now know that high temperature cooking or the recondensation of 
fat dripped onto the glowing charcoals back onto the grilled meat
at the family barbecue has resulted in cancer of the alimentary tract.  
So there will be danger in eating radiation sterilized food and my 
guess is that uncooked sterilized food is more carcinogenic than the 
(post) cooked variety.  

I'm pretty sure it will be very beneficial, however, in saving the 
lives of victims of catastrophe such as the famine in Africa and 
the mud drownings in Columbia.  This is because of its ability to 
maintain itself as stable, for weeks or even months without refri-
geration.  That will be a tough one to prove. I certainly would 
chance it under those conditions.
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| Paul M. Koloc, President: (301) 445-1075                | FUSION |
| Prometheus II, Ltd.; College Park, MD 20740-0222        |  this  |
| {umcp-cs | seismo}!prometheus!pmk; pmk@prometheus.UUCP  | decade |
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