In the context of toxicology, BSE is of interest primarily because of its implications for food safety and the potential for prion transfer to humans. The disease can have a significant impact on public health, as the consumption of infected beef products can lead to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans. Toxicologists are involved in assessing the risk, determining safe levels of exposure, and developing strategies to prevent such exposures.
