This just in, your mom was wrong.

] Innsbruck-based lung specialist Prof Dr Friedrich
] Bischinger said people who pick their noses with their
] fingers were healthy, happier and probably better in tune
] with their bodies.
]
] He says society should adopt a new approach to
] nose-picking and encourage children to take it up.

It may be a good way to help strengthen the immune system. We do it naturally when we are young, which is usually a good indication of things.

] And he pointed out that if anyone was really worried
] about what their neighbour was thinking, they could
] still enjoy picking their nose in private if they still
] wanted to get the benefits it offered.

File this under "keeping your nose clean".

Ananova - Top doc backs picking your nose and eating it