Why is talk of Mad Cow Disease avoided in America?

Question

What about prion cross-contamination due to municipal sewage being used as fertilizers in factory farms? The Organic Consumers Association has relevant news/topics but mainstream media doesn't cover it.

Answer 1

Because it attacks the NERVOUS system of the cow and not the meat it self.

Answer 2

Because if madcow disease was to be discovered again, it would have severe economic consequences.

Think about it. If you were the owner of a major meat-packing plant, would you want to have the distinction of having a mad cow among your livestock?

As much as the government and scientists tell you that beef is safe, you can't be sure.

While we are being told that mad cows are easily identifiable because they stumble and fall, some cows don't, and therefore go undetected.

In fact, there is speculation that many people who we think have alzheimers could possibly have mad cow disease.

The FDA is constantly steamrolled because of the economic consequences. Think about all the meat that Americans eat! If mad cow disease were to be discovered it would bankrupt a meat packing plant overnight.

Some time ago, mad cow disease was discovered again amongst Canadian beef. Sanctions were since imposed on canadian beef. Those sanctions have now been lifted. Which is stupid, because the disease can have an incubation period of up to 40 years. This is why many people in Britian are not allowed to be organ donors or donate blood because of the possibility that they are carrying mad cow disease.

Answer 3

Because currently it's not an issue.  The news doesn't just dwell on things "just in case".....excluding politics, that is.

Answer 4

The answer is in your question: mainstream. Until it becomes a serious health issue, no "mainstream" media outlet will cover it because nobody will really care. TV airtime ands newspaper space are expensive and no news outlet will "waste" either on a news item that nobody will watch or read. A TV clip about Britney Spears latest antics or a column about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will generate more ad revenues than a segment about cows who aren't even sick yet. 60 Minutes or some other "investigative" program might cover it but don't expect it. Some local newspaper might do an article but that's where it will remain: local.

Answer 5

because people just might stop eating meat and that could be devastating to the meat industry including farmers, meat packing companies .....

at the end of the day it's all about the money ....

Answer 6

Perhaps because it's never happened here.

What I mean is, it's never been transferred to humans in America. Americans have contracted the human form of the disease but they were overseas at the time.

Besides, they need to cover things that happen, like salmonella in jalapenos, before they can cover what might happen.

Answer 7

The cattle industry is protected by corrupt people in high places.

When a mainstream reporter investigates this sort of thing, they run into a wall of officials who know how to lie, hide evidence and falsify documents.

And, of course, you also have media outlets such as FOX news who are actually willing to participate in covering up such things:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Fo...

Answer 8

This is a free country, and anyone can choose at any speed and rate that he likes, provided don't let his cold body block my driveways!