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Research casts doubt on controversial scientific theory

May 07, 2003

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have cast doubt on the validity of the controversial theory of biological cold fusion, the principle sometimes used to lend credence to the practice of selling silicon tablets to strengthen bones, on the assumption that the body will turn the silicon into calcium.

Biological cold fusion, also known as the 'Kervran effect', is the principle that living organisms can act as alchemists and turn one element into another. The French Scientist, Louis C. Kervran claimed that he had proven the existence of cold fusion by feeding hens with a calcium deficient diet and observing that they still laid eggs with the usual calcium rich shells. He argued that they did this by changing silicon into calcium.

In a paper published in the Spring 2003 edition of The Journal of Scientific Exploration, Dr. Milton Wainwright, of the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department at the University of Sheffield casts serious doubts on one of the alleged proofs of the Kervran Effect . He describes how he and his team used the common mould, Aspergillus niger, to attempt to turn manganese into iron. This was another example cited in Kervran's work.

The team subjected the fungus and the metal to a variety of different conditions and monitored it using highly sensitive equipment, but were unable to show that such a change occurs.

Dr Wainwright says, "It is important that controversial areas of science are subjected to rigorous scrutiny. It's difficult for science to categorically prove that something doesn't happen, but our work, coupled with the fact that biological cold fusion appears to be theoretically impossible, suggests that the phenomenon is non-existent."

Sheffield, University of