The protein prion is believed to be the cause of the disease, but its cure remains a mystery. In a story reported in The Wall Street Journal, David Taylor, a retired researcher at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, indicated that he believes the methods commonly used to destroy other infectious agents can make prions even stronger. Taylor conducted a series of tests at the university using steam, dry heat, and chemicals, but none proved to be completely effective.
Recently, testing hit the fields when the FDA performed a series of evaluations on a Texas feedlot that was suspected of containing meat and bone meal from other domestic cattle, which is a violation of FDA's 1997 prohibition on using ruminant material in feed for other ruminants. Results indicate that a very low level of prohibited material was found in the feed cattle.