Prion

Prion diseases can affect humans as well as animals and can be transferred to humans by the consumption of meat infected with the disease. Prion diseases are a group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders. A commonly known one is mad cow disease. These diseases are caused by a misfolded protein called PrP.  The normal function of this protein is not fully understood. The prion form of this protein is called PrPsc, the normal form of it is called PrPc. Many different mammals can be affected by these diseases since the prion protein is very similar across multiple different mammals. The problem with this disease that can be found in meat is that the prions cannot be destroyed using the usual methods, boiling, autoclaving, and radiation will not get rid of the prions. This disease can lead to holes in the brain and eventually to death. There are various different symptoms of this including, seizures, slurred speech, and memory loss.