I’m not sure they even have a biological origin.
From what I understand, they may be associated with
“memory” which is why they are so thermally stable. It may
also be why they “hang” out with nervous tissue. But their
origin, look from what I know biologists don’t know the
origin of viruses, what about a prion which is even less
“living” than a virus.
Some believe that “kuru” , “CJD”, and BSE(mad-cow) are
just variants of the same prion..
Some have also speculated that the disease is much more
prevalent than reported cuz: 1) most old folks are diagnosed
with dementia or alzheimers and die before prion disease
is considered. 2) No one wants to do autopsy on prion
dead folk due to the fact that all areas of potential
contamination probably gotta be incinerated or kept out
of action for a long time to make sure no prions are
left around....maybe they could use a disposable lab.....
Bottom line. don’t eat you’re human relations (see Kuru)!