Ag Secretary Questions New Mad Cow Tests (BTW cow tested positive)

[maddezmom]

By LIBBY QUAID, Associated Press Writer
38 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Amid uproar from cattlemen, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns questioned why his department's inspector general ordered new tests for mad cow disease two weeks ago without his knowledge or approval.

"It caught me by surprise, to be very honest with you," Johanns told reporters Friday. "I believe the secretary should be involved in all decisions of this significance."

The department said it would announce results of the tests Friday afternoon.

New tests were ordered earlier this month on an animal declared to be free of mad cow disease. Brain tissue samples had initially tested positive, but more sophisticated screening came back negative, and the animal was declared to be free of mad cow disease last November.

~snip~
more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050624/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/mad_cow_1

Tests Confirm 2nd Mad Cow Case In U.S.

Tests have confirmed the second case of mad cow disease in the United States.


The Agriculture Department said tests confirmed mad cow disease in a U.S. cow previously cleared of having the brain-wasting illness.

"The results confirm the presence of (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in this animal," Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said at a Friday news conference.

The animal didn't enter the food supply, Johanns said.

A brain sample from the cow was sent to England for further study because a third round of tests conducted two weeks ago came back positive.

more:http://www.nbc5.com/health/4649433/detail.html?rss=chi&psp=nationalnews

[LSparkle]

1. Ugh ... I had steak only a few nights ago

Damned Atkins!!!!!

[Chicago Democrat]

8. Steak is ok, even from infected animals....

its always been the low end the bits close to the spine that contain the disease. Ground beef is the bad boy...

[daleo]

2. Here's my guess why they didn't ask the secretary

The scientists assumed he would cover it up. Thank God it didn't enter the food supply. :sarcasm:

[TahitiNut]

3. Sounds like the IG has found a coverup last November.

If this is the result of re-testing the downer that was tested last November and came back negative, then this smells like corruption between the testing organization and the Secretary of Agriculture.

I can imagine an "uproar from cattlemen" who've had something they bought and paid good(?) money for snatched from their corrupt grasp.

Let's see our first member of this criminal administration go to prison!!

[librechik]

4. sneaking to do it without the Bushie overseer

is the only way to get the truth done and out.

Good for this man who bypassed his corrupt political boss!!

[gkhouston]

5. three cheers for the goverment worker bees

who are still trying to do the right thing, even when it's dangerous for them. :patriot:

[maddezmom]

11. cheers to Phyllis Fong who ordered the test

The new case was confirmed after a series of conflicting test results.

The department did initial screening using a "rapid test," which was positive. A more detailed immunohistochemistry, or IHC test, was negative. But the department did not conduct a third round, using the Western blot, until the department's inspector general, Phyllis Fong, ordered it to do so two weeks ago. Fong has not explained why she ordered new tests.

Results from those tests came back positive, leading officials to seek confirmation from the Weybridge lab. The department also performed more tests at its lab in Ames, Iowa.

Now the department will use both IHC and Western blot when rapid tests indicate the presence of the disease, Johanns said. Consumer groups and cattlemen have criticized the department for not using the test to resolve the conflicting results.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050625/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/mad_cow;_

[Julius Civitatus]

6. The secretary is mad because the tests were made?

Typical attitude of the Bush administration: in the face of EVIDENCE of a problem, just close your eyes, dig your head deep in the sand and think happy thoughts!

The Tinkerbell Strategy works in all departments of the bush admin.

Isn't it amazing the underlings HAD to do the tests that the secretary was avoiding to do, so not to upset the cattle industry?

What a dangerous bunch they are.

[Chicago Democrat]

7. Letter to Culver's

Subject: Hi I like your burgers. Assuage my fears regarding Mad Cow Disease.
To: [e-mail]


I eat burgers everyday. I like em. I think yours are the best around. I could show you a visa statement with 30 Culver's charges on it in one month.


But now I'm worried about catching Mad Cow. What steps has Culver's done to avoid this and why shouldn't I worry about dying from eating a burger.


Sincerely,

[Voltaire99]

9. "Uproar from cattlemen"

Clearly what we need is an uproar against cattlemen.

Their interests and ours are hardly the same.

[ecoalex]

10. Organic Grass Fed Beef

Don't ya'll know grass fed beef is good for you? high in omega 3 fats, and is good for ya'll.

Grass fed beef...It's Good For You .