We want to tell people how good a test it is. They find the infected animals. They collect samples for us. In addition to the live-animal testing, ORourkes team also is studying 1,200 animals to see if genetics can prevent scrapie. It may be possible to prevent scrapie by a careful screening of genetics.
Every animal has a gene that gives prion protein.
There are different categories of prion proteins. Some categories cause scrapie. Producers will be able to pick rams carefully, based on their genetics.