This is a potential platform technology for developing many other kinds of therapies.

I don't think we've played to our potential yet.

It's a very interesting idea. It might not work, as many things don't, but it's a very exciting idea.

Who knows what the real situation is in cattle in the United States? And with people, we could be sitting on a time bomb, because the incubation period of this disease in humans can be up to 40 years. That's why a blood test is so important. We need to know the extent of the problem, we need to make sure that beef and the human blood supply are safe, and we need early diagnosis so that when scientists develop a therapy we can intervene before clinical symptoms appear--by then, it's too late.

It is very important because we could have an idea of the magnitude of the problem. We might be sitting on a time bomb and 20 years from now it could be too late. If we know today there are many people infected, companies will start to look for therapies.

I expect technology companies to enjoy a recovery this year. Their potential is being realized with the introduction of products such as new cell phones.