V. QUESTIONS AND CONTROVERSIES

Alternate Opinions Regarding Prions

What scientists find hard to believe is that prions can reproduce without the aid of DNA.^{(Taubes 2)} Conventional wisdom states that there must be a blueprint to build a structure. Nonbelievers are still seeking for a virus or other agent which triggers the folding process.^{(Vogel 214)} A few experts believe that TSEs are really auto-immune reactions.^{(Ebringer et al 1173)}

Research methods are also under the microscope. Some of the sceptics have valid points regarding such controversies. Most work has been done by one small group of scientists, driven by a zealot in the field. Although the data supports Prusiner, more data ought to be acquired. Gary Taubes argues that the reason that a viral agent hasn't been found is that no one is doing the research. He points to funding as the culprit.⁽⁴⁾

Applying Prion Knowledge

Much has been learned regarding prion transmission and safety of meat since the mad cow scare in England. The Center for Disease Control in the United States has taken the following steps regarding meat safety:⁽³⁾

1. No part of any animal which shows signs of a TSE should enter any food chain (human or animal)...
2. All countries should establish surveillance and mandatory notification for BSE...
3. Countries should not permit tissues that are likely to contain the BSE agent to enter any food chain (human or animal)...
4. All countries should ban the use of ruminant tissues in ruminant food.
5. Certain products (i.e., milk and milk products) from animals are considered safe for human consumption, even in countries with a high incidence of BSE.
6. For medicinal products, measures to minimize the risk...are still applicable.
7. Research on TSE in humans and animals should be promoted.

Fortunately, no cases of vCJD have been identified in the United States.^{(Hueston USDA 1)}

Possible Research Topics

Because prions are so unusual, the diseases they cause will require new and innovative treatments.^{(Cohen et al 531)} The medical community can progress a great deal in this area. In addition, the plaques deposited in cases of scrapie closely resemble the amyloid (protein) plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.^{(Prusiner Prions 53)} It is unknown how they are associated, however. As the population of the United States increases in age, more and more cases of Alzheimer's disease will appear. I believe that research in prions will help ease symptoms of Alzheimers and other degenerative brain diseases. Possible research topics regarding prions research include:

• Is there a section of the population with higher frequencies of prion diseases?
• How did BSE (Mad Cow disease) become vCJD?
• Why are some prion diseases inherited?
• Is the meat in the United States really safe?
• Does the shape or does the composition of prions cause other proteins to deform?
• Is there any substance which will rid the body of rogue prions?
• Can prions be kept from aggregating?
• Why do prions disturb the nervous system and not other organs?

Numerous other topics exist as well. We have only started to scratch the surface in prion research. More answers are out there to be found.

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