Lee Smith, ND

Are the Cows “Mad” Again?

It’s been six years since last detected in the USA:
Recently, another cow (the fourth, ever in the US) tested positive for BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), better known as Mad Cow Disease.

This could be cause for alarm, but the media seemed to pass along news and reassurances from the authorities that all is well and not to worry.

The facts in ‘this’ case are simple: the diseased animal was found through routine testing (at a pet food facility). This animal was never presented for slaughter, so the food supply was never at risk. (Incidentally, BSE is not transmitted through milk.)

Why is there no line at the salad bar?
For most Americans, nothing comes between us and our next meal, even if risk is involved. Rather than moving toward strict vegetarianism, some have followed advertising advice from an imminently successful chicken sandwich empire by eating more chicken.

Chicken sales are soaring, but is it reasonable to believe that this will protect the public health?

The Devil’s in the Details:
Cows usually become BSE infected by eating a diet containing spinal cords or brains from other cows (Specified Risk Materials).  These SRM aren’t allowed in any bovine feeds in the USA, and the recent infection was declared “Atypical BSE,” a rare form of infection that’s not caused from eating the banned diet. (Atypical BSE has never been linked to health issues in humans, and has never been shown to transfer to other cows.)

If the normal cause of BSE is from cows eating meat (they’re supposed to be herbivores), then how long will it take for similar issues to arise in chickens if their diets are further manipulated?

Credible health risks are associated with every “flesh food,” because toxins become concentrated in all animal flesh.

Is it reasonable to think that any alternative meat is safe?

Meat-eating is the choice for most of you, but I decided to choose life: a plant-based diet.