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h. Moreover, prions are almost >totally resistant to conventional asepsis technique such as >autoclaving or formaldehyde. From evidence that the infectious >agents may be alike or closely related, and the long latency >which prevents detection of vectors or carriers, Rhodes sees a >remote but real possibility of a global plague that could wipe >out the human species >Joe The operative word is 'remote.' Prion diseases have been with us for a very long time. Certainly, they were present at the turn of the century when slaughter-house processing was anything but clean (remember _The Jungle_?) Yet, the incident of prion-caused diseases have remained relatively stable. CJD has maintained a pretty steady incidence in the U.S.A (where spongiform encephalitis has never been documented). So, folks, enjoy that steak. ----- Regards Mary Ann