The way this article is worded it presumes that proton decay actually occurs, when there is no evidence as yet that it actually does, just several theories which predict it. (IIRC, experimental evidence so far indicates that if it occurs at all, it takes a lot longer than many GUT candidates predict.)
The article incorrectly assumes that decay into a neutral pion and a gamma is the only possible channel. If no assumptions are made on the decay mode, the experimental lower limit on proton mean life is just 1.6×10^25 years.
Source: Particle Data Group
—Herbee 2004-02-10
"it has been recently determined..." -- when? -- Tarquin 09:50, 16 Sep 2003 (UTC)
Proton decay is the conveniant hadn wave that many theories use to explain certain components of background radiation. I tis howveer highly unlikely. Neutrons decay because they are udd adn eventually both d will decay with the resulting electrons fighting over the only u, so one of them gets emitted. a Proton however being uud does nto have that problem.