Government to scale back mad cow testing

[donsu]

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/living/health/14098470.htm


Despite the confirmation of a third case of mad cow disease, the government intends to scale back testing for the brain-wasting disorder blamed for the deaths of more than 150 people in Europe.

(who knows how many in the US)

-snip-

Still, a reduction in testing has been in the works for months. The department's chief veterinarian, John Clifford, mentioned it when he announced the new case of mad cow disease.

"As we approach the conclusion of our enhanced surveillance program, let me offer a few thoughts," Clifford said, explaining that the U.S. will follow international standards for testing.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns pointed out testing is not a food safety measure. Rather, it's a way to find out the prevalence of the disease.

-snip-

The medical name for mad cow disease is bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. In humans, eating meat contaminated with BSE is linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a rare and deadly nerve disease.
-snip-
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so how many Alzheimer's are mad cow?

the cattle barons are going to do what they want. our only recourse is to not eat beef.

[valerief]

1. I don't eat beef or soup, which contains beefstock and which

also may contain the prions.

[havocmom]

2. Not just 'cattle barons' but BIG Corporate meat processors

They want to be able to keep using the cheapest methods to cut meat. That makes it much more likely spinal matter (and gut contents) get EVERYWHERE.

[KurtNYC]

3. It is standard procedure when diagnosing Alzheimer's to

do a blood test which will rule out other causes for the symptoms. The symptoms of Alzheimer's and Mad Cow/BSE are very different. One of the simpler distinctions: Loss of coordination is typical in Mad Cow but not in Alzheimer's.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/Facts_about_dementia/What_is_dementia/info_alz.htm

The beef industry and major restaurant chains have a huge financial interest in keeping the beef supply safe.

If you are not going to finish that steak you can pass it over here. :-)

[MadHound]

4. If you like meat, or vegetables for that matter

There are only two sensible, healthy options anymore. Buy your meat and produce from local, preferably organic, farmer, or raise it all yourself.

Corporate farmers don't care about consumers, only the bottom line, whereas your local farmer is a member of the community, and depends completely on the support and patronage of the community. Thus, his products will be much healthier and tastier.

[TexasLawyer]

5. The more you test, the more possibility of

finding mad cow. And who wants to find mad cow? Duh!

:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[leesa]

6. Assume it's positive...they are not selective in the slaughter house

when chopping up parts...neural tissue goes in too. They don't test which makes us not have positives, right?

[leftofthedial]

7. good planning

pretty soon we won't need "testing" at all to find it.