Prion as a new form of life

Abstract

During the millions years the alive creatures of the Earth, with the help of immune system and other mechanisms, successfully defend from viruses and other microorganisms, affecting their cells. Intensive pollution of environment led to depressing of protective forces of nature, and as a result the new death-dealing infections appeared. New diseases, causing by mutant viruses, are not given to treatment. More then 2000 viruses are known today, but nobody knows their total quainty. Since 1973 the 30 new virus infection and its agents are discovered, 20 of them are human viruses. Nobody knows, where new pathogenetic agents had come from. Prions can be attributed to them too. They cause the death-dealing diseases of people and animals. Prions are the protein molecules, possessing the main property of life — reproduction. A discovery of prions became possible due to biological revolution, which is changing the human world in XXI century.