The facts about mad cow disease
The on going controversial debate about the so-called “mad cow disease” does not seem to be anywhere near an acceptable resolution owing to the growing evidence being presented by signs of a resurge of the disease in some countries like the United States which had hitherto taken tough stance against the disease
Back in the United Kingdom where the disease was first discovered, government legislations particularly targeted outlawing the use of any ruminant by-products in animal feed. A decision which was later extended to include outrightly calling off exporting cattle abroad (Friedman 2008). An issue that policy makers as well as players of the industry still can not say in definite terms has achieved the desired impact, due to inconsistent feedbacks generated as a consequence.
With reference to the previous paragraphs, a school of scientific thought is of the firm opinion that in its absolute form the disease does not pose much of a mortal danger to humans, which is in stark contrast to the media propaganda about the “mad cow disease.” To calm public nerves, they dismiss the media brouhaha as merely a sign of high level inflammation and exaggeration with the media masquerading as instruments of some interest groups who have a stake in the social apprehension.
In any case this has still not influenced some national governments to soften their hard stance against beef production and consumption. The United States leading in this campaign has emphatically treated the disease as a serious public health concern and therefore, outlined specific cautionary guides to its citizens traveling abroad to be extra vigilant and more responsible in the consumption of beef products and to a lesser extent dairy products. Though dairy products do not pose a direct risk to consumers, it has not being totally exempted from the list.
Interestingly, these are in addition to the already stringent legislations.
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