Editing Prion (section)

== Weaponization ==
Prions could theoretically be employed as a [[Biological agent|weaponized agent]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What are Biological Weapons? |url=https://www.un.org/disarmament/biological-weapons/about/what-are-biological-weapons/ |website= |publisher=United Nations, Office for Disarmament Affairs |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521135315/https://www.un.org/disarmament/biological-weapons/about/what-are-biological-weapons/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Prions: the danger of biochemical weapons |url=http://www.scielo.br/pdf/cta/v34n3/01.pdf |website= |publisher= |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209183321/http://www.scielo.br/pdf/cta/v34n3/01.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> With potential fatality rates of 100%, prions could be an effective bioweapon, sometimes called a "biochemical weapon", because a prion is a biochemical. An unfavorable aspect is prions' very long incubation periods. Persistent heavy exposure of prions to the [[Gastrointestinal tract#Lower gastrointestinal tract|intestine]] might shorten the overall onset.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Next Plague: Prions are Tiny, Mysterious and Frightening |url=https://www.acsh.org/news/2017/03/20/next-plague-prions-are-tiny-mysterious-and-frightening-11018 |website= |date=20 March 2017 |publisher=American Council on Science and Health |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521135326/https://www.acsh.org/news/2017/03/20/next-plague-prions-are-tiny-mysterious-and-frightening-11018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another aspect of using prions in warfare is the difficulty of detection and [[decontamination]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Prions as Bioweapons? - Much Ado About Nothing; or Apt Concerns Over Tiny Proteins used in Biowarfare |url=https://www.defenceiq.com/air-land-and-sea-defence-services/articles/prions-as-bioweapons |website= |date=13 September 2019 |publisher=Defence iQ |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521135318/https://www.defenceiq.com/air-land-and-sea-defence-services/articles/prions-as-bioweapons |url-status=live }}</ref>