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#39867 09/02/11 12:40 AM
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PipetteKid
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Found this article that talks about prions as they could relate to zombies: Prions and the “science” of zombies

A) What are your thoughts, generally?
B) Out of curiosity, what are ways in which prion infection could spread in a "viral" manner?

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#39872 09/02/11 09:14 AM
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The answer to the zombie issue is blindly obvious if you think about it

1) A zombie process as shown does not reproduce it is increasing it's numbers by sequesting another species (non infected humans).

2) As such it will obey standard predator-prey relationships it will strike balance with it's prey (non infected humans) or it will convert all humans then die out.


A prion is nothing more than a chemical chain or molecules it could spread in any of the same ways as virus or the common cold spread assuming it was stable in the real world enviroment. HIV virus for example can not survive outside body fluids so airborne contact is impossible. Real world stability of your prion would determine how it could spread.


A more interesting version of a prion zombie effect would be to have a parasitic version that stayed dormant for long periods say 30 years and then activated and took over the host. That way it has ability to establish complex relationships for survival rather than simple predator-prey. Malaria virus for example shows this trait now that would be a science nightmare :-)


I believe in "Evil, Bad, Ungodly fantasy science and maths", so I am undoubtedly wrong to you.

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