Mad Cow Testing: One Company Takes Action

Currently, the US Department Of Agriculture only tests one percent of an estimated one hundred thousand cattle slaughtered each day. This process has been voluntary, not random as they would have us believe, with meat packers being paid to bring in samples. Because a negative finding could result in serious ramifications for the slaughterhouse, this encourages samples to be taken from healthier looking cattle. Even with shockingly low test numbers, there have still been three confirmed cases of Mad Cow disease in US animals, begging the question: How many more have we missed?

In March 2007, the USDA announced that it was reducing its already pitiful testing by a shocking 90 percent, reducing cattle testing from 360,000 animals per year to a mere 40,000. Add to this the fact that they have also backed off on plans for mandatory animal tracking which can be used to help identify the source of an infection and help determine other animals at risk.

In contrast, many European countries, as well as Japan, are testing all slaughtered cattle. In truth, one hundred percent testing is the only way to be certain that sick animals are not entering our food system. We cannot deny that the threat exists. Thankfully, one company is taking action. They have developed a new way of testing, which will allow for the testing of one hundred percent of live animals to be done before slaughter, saving slaughterhouses time and money and identifying sick animals. Such testing will also allow ranchers to separate infected cattle from healthy cattle.

Welcome to GeneThera Inc., a molecular biology company based in Colorado. The company specializes in providing genetic diagnostic solutions for the veterinary and agricultural industries, with its current priority being Mad Cow testing.

The USDA has previously prevented cattle ranchers from doing their own Mad Cow testing. However, a federal judge has ruled that the government must allow meat packers to test their animals for the disease. The court has ruled that the federal government does not have the authority to regulate the test, but has placed the order on hold to give the government a chance to appeal. If there is no appeal by June 1, 2007, the ruling will take effect and meat packers can then begin to test their cattle.

Such testing is invaluable today. Imagine being able to buy meat that is certified to be free of Mad Cow Disease and knowing that your family is protected. Already, the company has initiated talks with cattle ranchers to begin using their system. I, for one, am looking forward to it.