Cannibalism was probably rife among our prehistoric ancestors, claims a new study of the Fore, an isolated tribe living in Papua New Guinea.

Simon Mead, John Collinge and colleagues, at the MRC's Prion Unit at University College London, found evidence that a gene variant protected some of the Fore against a deadly prion disease transmitted by their former cannibalistic habits. Prion diseases include CJD in humans and BSE - mad cow disease - in cattle.


View: Full Article | Source: Yahoo News

"Kuru was transmitted at cannibalistic funeral feasts where bereaved women and children ate the flesh of their dead relatives. "

Just a curious thought... Did they eat the dead folks right out of the casket at the funeral, or fix 'em up with h'oderves and drinks for a wake?