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Safer Means Of Disposing Of Mad Cows

Posted by timothy on from the mmmm-liquidy dept.

MissMarvel writes "A company claims to have a safer way to dispose of cows infected with Mad Cow Disease. It says that by using the kinds of chemicals that go into a drain-clearing product such as Drano, they can safely break down the suspected disease-causing proteins, known as prions. The bodies of infected dead cattle are usually burned to destroy proteins these brain-wasting compounds."

1 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. This might be important... by jakoz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This might be important, but the real issue is early detection of this desease, avoiding cross contamination, etc. If you want to be scared, trace the life of a cow once it leaves the farm, and play spot the faults at every step along the way. Trust me... it is very, very easy.

    I've heard it said that one hamburger can contain parts from 1000 head of cattle. When youre talking those sorts of numbers, the potential for outbreak, both for this and other diseases, is huge.

    Disposing of the bodies is one thing, but far more important is early detection and isolation.