Bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE] -mad cow disease

The background to the epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE] among cattle in the United Kingdom is described as the possible origin of the disease and its relationship to scrapie in sheep. Although the epidemic in cattle is virtually over there is evidence of the transmission of the infectious agent to humans to produce a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The current status of our understanding of the molecular biology of the infectious agent is described as is the evidence in support of the protein-only, prion, hypothesis. Study of the glycoforms of the prions supports the view that BSE has been transmitted to humans

Hazards of biotechnology

There is evidence for a vociferous minority of the public in some countries against the application of recombinant DNA [rDNA] technology. This has in part been fuelled by the planned, and in some cases actual, release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment. Scientists are agreed that some control of such releases is required but that the guidelines for such control should be internationally agreed. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] is the best body to do this. Scientists should co-operate with their own politicians and regulating bodies, be scrupulous in adhering to the agreed procedures and inform people in all walks of life about their work and the concept of risk assessment. These measures should help to avert the danger that the benefits of rDNA are lost to medicine and agriculture