Ruairí Quinn
Question:69 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on recently published research which points to new links between BSE and sporadic CJD in humans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25755/02]
Vol. 559 No. 2
69 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on recently published research which points to new links between BSE and sporadic CJD in humans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25755/02]
I am familiar with reports in relation to experimental work with mice carried out by Professor John Collinge and colleagues from the Medical Research Council's Prion Unit in London that BSE may be linked to a "type two" pattern of CJD consistent with sporadic CJD. I am aware that there is already a measure of debate as to how the results to date of such work might be interpreted and applied in practice. Experts in my Department and elsewhere in the EU continue to take a close interest in this and all work which can assist in improving our understanding of how the BSE prion works.