USDA Webcast Update on Mad Cow Disease

USDA ^ | 12/24/03 | USDA

[torstars]

Live webcast at 10:30 AM EST

http://easylink.ibroadcastsmedia.tv/winlive/riparianlive.asx

[Indie]

Would veal be safe since they're so young??

[riri]

AG West Biotech aus Google

[JustAnAmerican]

"Yep. Just gotta wonder though...am I incubating?!

The thought has crossed my mind more then once. But if nothing else lots-o-chicken beats lots-o-beef healthwise no matter the outcome :)

[JustAnAmerican]

"Would veal be safe since they're so young??"

I am by no means an expert on this, just a lowely beefeater, however the thought of playing Russian Rulette everytime I eat beef products is not very appealing at the moment. One things for certain, If the Government says something is safe while everyone arround you does not think so, well I tend to disbelieve the Gov.

[Indie]

Good point. "we're from the government and we're here to help you." NOT

[zencat]

"Anyone know of a publically traded biotech company that does prion research?"

Here are a few that stand to gain:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yhoo/story.asp?source=blq/yhoo&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo&guid=%7BEC40F817%2D599C%2D420C%2DBFAA%2DCBBA1F8DD0EE%7D

[TBall]

Thanks

[torstars]

Am I hearing that right, the cow was not "Bred" on the farm it was found, but that it was in fact bought from another Farm and the USDA is having a hard time tracing this?

The transmission was very poor, but I think I heard the following: The Holstein in question was purchased in Oct 2001 from another farm in Washington State (records narrow it down to 1 of 2 farms). The cow at the time of purchase was a "Springer" (about 2 years old), which would make the cow 4-5 years old on Dec 9. The cow was just diagnosed initially with a pelvic inflammation, consistent with giving birth to her 3rd calf. The cow therefore passed inspection. The recall involves just over 10,000 pounds of product, which is one day's production at the facilities that processed the product. The product and by-products involve several facilities. The incubation time for BSE is 4-5 years. The ban on animal feed began Aug, 1997 with about 75% compliance. As of today, only 2 of 1826 suppliers are out of compliance.

[torstars]

Yep. Just gotta wonder though...am I incubating?!

As soon as the FDA starts using the term "it has not be scientifically proven", there are clearly some problems. The lack of science has been mentioned with regard to transmission via muscle cuts, vertical transmission (mother to offspring), and transmission via any mechanism to animals except via contaminated feed.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease described in deer and elk which is very similar to BSE in cattle, scrapie in sheep, and vCJD in humans. All involve prions, and mechanisms found in one species probably apply to the other. CWD is thought to be transmitted via saliva and feces. It seems likely that BSE is also transmitted that way, so it is hard to believe that calves born to an infected cow will not develop BSE sooner or later. Similarly, the extremely likely transmission of vCJD via blood transfusion strong implicates blood as a source of prions and although the highest concentrations are found in neurological tissues, it seems rather foolish to consider "muscle cuts" as safe.

However, the FDA is classifying the recall as level II recall, because of the low risk associated with products from a presumptive positive (at least 3 times) Holstein. This does NOT instill confidence.

[torstars]

Yep. Just gotta wonder though...am I incubating?!

If you are interested in the incubating question check out Interstate Meats' website in Clackamas, OR.

Here are some of their products.

Doesn't look like like dog or cat food to me.

[kittymyrib]

Do you get in the car and drive anywhere? The chances of your dying in a car accident are infinitely higher than being a victim of Mad Cow Disease.
However, would irradiating all our meat not be a very good idea? Texas A&M is on the forefront of using lasers to process our food, and I'm beginning to think this is an idea whose time has come.

[beezdotcom]

I sit calm and reassured until some government bureaucrat tells me everything is fine and I should be calm and reassured. Then I panic.

Move along people...nothing to see here...

[beezdotcom]

However, would irradiating all our meat not be a very good idea?

I don't think you can "kill" a prion this way. But I agree, your risk of contracting fatal salmonella from cantaloupe is probably greater than CJD from beef, at this point.

[torstars]

would irradiating all our meat not be a very good idea?

Radiation doesn't affect prion folding.

[torstars]

at this point.

How about after 8 year incubation period?

[torstars]

nothing to see here...

Unfortunately, when the FDA says "it hasn't been scientifically proven", that pretty much means they haven't looked very hard.

[Doninnj]

NEWSFLASH!

MAD COW DISEASE ORIGINS TRACED TO CHAPPAQUA, NY......

AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHEREABOUTS OF LOCAL BOVINE

MASCOT NAMED "HILLARY".

MORE TO COME......

[beezdotcom]

How about after 8 year incubation period?

What argument are you making? The likelihood that any particular hamburger from any particular cow will demonstrate to have the prion oftern 8 years, or the likelihood that YOU will develop it within 8 years after definitively eating the prion?

[beezdotcom]

oftern 8 years

Er, "AFTER" 8 years.

Gotta learn to type and read better...

[beezdotcom]

Unfortunately, when the FDA says "it hasn't been scientifically proven", that pretty much means they haven't looked very hard.

Oh, I agree. It's Officer Barbrady who doesn't...