I keep wondering the same thing. Last I heard there still wasn't a firm consensus on what the mode of transmission is, although they lean towards prions, which are supposedly virtually indestructible, even at autoclave temps. And the linkage between BSE and CJD still seems to be pretty tenuous. But maybe that's just my impression. Anyone up to speed on the latest scientific thinking on this topic?
Yep . . . They seem to be such simple things (not that I know anything about them!) operating at such a fundamental cellular level, it'll be absolutely amazing to me if prions can target one species and not another.
Wonder if the darned things can mutate?