New legislative proposals influenced by misinformation campaigns could undermine CWD management efforts, influence public perception, and disrupt conservation funding.
The ongoing push for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) solutions is not just about science and wildlife management, it’s also about striving against misinformation and misguided policies that could worsen the crisis. Recently, legislative proposals in North Dakota and Indiana have raised concerns among conservationists and wildlife professionals. These bills could undermine CWD management efforts, influence public perception of the disease, and disrupt conservation funding.
North Dakota’s Controversial CWD Bills: A Dangerous Precedent
In North Dakota, a series of proposed bills threaten to erode science-based CWD policies in favor of narratives that contradict well-established research.
- SB2137 (The Baiting Bill): Passed in the Senate, this bill restricts the state’s ability to regulate baiting, a practice known to increase CWD transmission among cervids. This undermines existing science-backed measures designed to slow the spread of the disease. It also takes management decisions away from professional wildlife biologists and gives it to legislators.
- HB1236 & HB1325: These bills seek to prevent the North Dakota Game and Fish Department from allocating funds to CWD management and redefine diagnostic requirements in ways that contradict established prion science.
- Public Access to CWD Records Bill: This legislation, promoted by individuals questioning the legitimacy of CWD, aims to make all positive detections publicly available for four years, including microscopic slides of prions and necropsy reports. However, the proposal ignores the scientific consensus on CWD testing and the logistical challenges of cataloging slides for every positive test.
These bills have been strongly influenced by misinformation campaigns that question the very existence of prions—the infectious proteins responsible for CWD. Some proponents falsely claim that CWD is a nutritional deficiency rather than a contagious disease. This rhetoric mirrors past disinformation efforts that sought to dismiss the severity of prion diseases like Mad Cow Disease.
Indiana’s Risky Genetic Experimentation Bill
In Indiana, another troubling piece of legislation, SB32, proposes a program to breed and release deer that are “genetically resistant” to CWD. While the idea of genetic resistance is intriguing, the science behind it remains inconclusive. The approach assumes that some deer might have genes that make them immune to CWD, yet research has shown that so-called “resistant” deer can still become infected—just at a slower rate.1,2
Similar programs have been proposed in other states, but their implementation risks unintended consequences, such as the spread of undetected infections and disruptions to natural selection in wild deer populations. Conservation groups have expressed strong opposition to this bill, citing concerns over inadequate scientific backing and potential ecological risks.
The vast majority of CWD researchers agree that this is a bad idea. Read their statement HERE
The Role of Science in Combating Misinformation
The push for legislation based on misinformation highlights the urgent need for strong, science-backed communication efforts. Misinformation about CWD isn’t just a public relations issue. It has real-world consequences. Policies influenced by unverified claims can increase disease transmission, misallocate conservation funding, and erode public trust in wildlife management agencies.
To counter these narratives, conservation organizations and wildlife professionals must prioritize:
- Clear, evidence-based communication: Explaining CWD’s prion pathology in accessible language.
- Proactive engagement with policymakers: Ensuring that legislative decisions are informed by peer-reviewed research.
- Funding for CWD response: Advocating for sustained funding to support CWD research, surveillance, management, and suppression efforts, ensuring long-term disease control.
A Responsible Approach to CWD Management
The TRCP and other conservation groups recognize the need to address CWD with urgency, but without alarmism. The spread of CWD is a serious issue that requires measured, science-driven responses. While some states struggle with misinformation-driven policies, others continue to advance responsible wildlife management strategies that emphasize testing, research, and adaptive management.
As hunters, conservationists, and policymakers navigate the complexities of CWD, it is crucial to remain steadfast in the commitment to scientific integrity. The hunting community plays a vital role in monitoring and mitigating CWD, but they must be equipped with accurate information and supported by policies that prioritize conservation over controversy.
The fight against CWD is not just about managing disease. It’s about ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy healthy wildlife populations and sustainable hunting traditions.
Learn more about CWD by clicking HERE
Citations
- Robinson, S. J., Samuel, M. D., O’Rourke, K. I., & Johnson, C. J. (2012). The role of genetics in chronic wasting disease of North American cervids. Prion, 6(2), 153-162. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.4161/pri.19640.
Research indicates that deer with certain genetic traits, previously thought to have genes that make them immune to CWD, can still become infected, albeit at slower rates. This study found that white-tailed deer possessing at least one copy of the 96S allele were infected at rates three to four times lower than those with the 96GG genotype. However, these “resistant” deer still contracted the disease, suggesting that the 96S allele delays infection rather than prevents it entirely.
- Moazami-Goudarzi, K., Andréoletti, O., Vilotte, J. L., & Béringue, V. (2021). Review on PRNP genetics and susceptibility to chronic wasting disease of Cervidae. Veterinary Research, 52, 1-15. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13567-021-00993-z
This study highlighted that while certain prion protein gene (PRNP) polymorphisms are associated with reduced susceptibility to CWD, they do not provide complete immunity. Deer with these polymorphisms may experience longer incubation periods before clinical signs appear, but they remain susceptible to infection.
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