Mad Science and Mad Cows: The Case for EPA Regulation of Prionicidal Substances

摘要

Mad cow disease is present in the United States. Despite certain government assurances, specifically that the "downer cow" came from Canada and that only one cow has tested positive for BSE, it is very likely that mad cow has been present in America for some time, will continue to be present in American livestock, and will manifest itself in the form of human vCJD cases at some time in the future. In addition, the USDA's assertion that avoiding blood and central nervous tissue can prevent the disease has been cast into significant doubt by recent scientific studies. Public fear and ignorance, coupled with the gravity of the symptoms and lethality of the disease, have rendered the typical consumer extremely vulnerable to claims of manufacturers whose products are effective at "killing," "removing," or "inactivating" prions. Additionally, owners of meat processing plants or slaughterhouses face such potentially severe economic consequences that their livelihood may be at stake. As a result, an oversight mechanism needs to be in place to assess the veracity of these claims in order to ensure that the public has access to products that are truly safe and effective.