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Bush Administration vs. Organic Beef: Government can block mad cow testing
The Bush administration fought to prohibit natural and organic meat packers from testing their animals for mad cow disease, a federal appeals court ruled to enforce the ban on voluntary mad cow testing on Friday.
Lobbying groups for cattle ranchers and slaughterhouses applauded the decision, but consumer advocates denounced it, saying the department was preventing Creekstone from taking extra steps to prove its product was safe.
Under the Virus Serum Toxin Act of 1913, the department decides where cattle can be tested and for what.
Consumer groups accused the department of bending to the will of the beef lobby, saying producers do not want the expense of proving that all cattle are safe or the damage to meat sales that would result if more cases of mad cow are found. The Bush administration fought to prohibit natural and organic meat packers from testing their animals for mad cow disease, a federal ... more -
Urine test may identify Mad Cow Disease
Canadian scientists say they may have discovered a breakthrough in testing cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease. Currently, tests require samples of brain tissue to identify the cause of the disease: misfolded prions (sort of like infectious proteins). But these tests can't be used on live animals or people.
Instead, this new Canadian research uses a urine test to identify protein traces in live cattle. After comparing the urine of four BSE-infected cattle with four healthy cattle, they found "the pattern of protein changes was 100 percent accurate in detecting cattle with BSE."
Since the human variant of the brain-wasting disease, Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD), is caused by eating BSE-infected meat, a urine test for humans would greatly assist doctors in narrowing down diagnoses of CJD. Some researchers believe that some people diagnosed with dementia or alzheimers disease may in fact have CJD. But most of these people don't have brain autopsies after they've passed, so there's really no way to know if CJD is more prevalent than we think -- if more beef cattle are inflicted with mad cow disease. Canadian scientists say they may have discovered a breakthrough in testing cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad c... more -
Alzhiemers 'linked to Mad-Cow Disease'?
I have been hearing about this for several years, but no one seems to be talking about it.
This is from the same site, but with different info:
http://rense.com/general3/sim.htm I have been hearing about this for several years, but no one seems to be talking about it. ... more -
This week in Current – 8/18-8/22
Another week has flown passed us like a whirlwind, and while people are still focused on the Olympics, it does seem like the buzz has died down a bit now that Michael Phelps has closed out his quest for gold.
Of course, that didn’t put an end to any of the controversies coming out of the Beijing Olympic games.
Hackers unearth more underage gymnast allegations:
http://current.com/items/89222275_
Olympics aside, this was certainly an interesting week in Current:News. Some stories of note include a tangled child support settlement, the sudden shutdown of MP3 sharing site Muxtape, canine morality, energy implications of windmills in NYC, demands for mandatory sick days, and the discussion of polygamy as a secret to a longer life. It was a packed week, so if you missed any of these take a look:
16-yr-old to pay child support to 19-yr-old mom:
http://current.com/items/89213469_
R.I.P. Muxtape:
http://current.com/items/89193344_
Living with humans has taught dogs morals, say scientists
http://current.com/items/89223042_
Bloomberg proposes windmills on New York City bridges, skyscrapers…
http://current.com/items/89219683_
Multiple states push for mandatory paid sick days
http://current.com/items/89219922_
Polygamy: the key to a long life?
http://current.com/items/89218114_
// VC2 Leaderboard Update //
On the VC2 Leaderboard front, we want to give a hearty congratulations to VC2 producer Sareye for her pod, “Mad About Gas? Dunk a Shell Employee.” It was this week’s leaderboard winner, so I clipped it to this post for everyone to check out. Way to go!
// Top Commented Stories on Current.com //
Have you ever wonder what the most discussed stories are on Current.com? Do you ever find yourself asking, “What was everyone discussing this week?” Well, have no fear, I’m going to start recapping the top commented stories each week in our recap posts. Here goes:
USDA refuses to ban sick "downer" cows from U.S. food supply
http://current.com/items/89212057_
This story clocked in at 70 responses. There were many comments that stuck with me from this thread, but elegua’s really sums it up:
“scary. mad cow can have a 30 year gestation period. let's see who's around in 2038.“
Obama takes issue with McCain's definition of 'rich'
http://current.com/items/89214533_
With a title like this, it’s no wonder this story gathered 73 responses. Much of the discussion centered on determining whether McCain’s comment was taken out of context. What do you think?
Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?
http://current.com/items/89218300_
Umm, this one seemed destined for popularity. This was well-clipped item by ivxx that asks the simple question, and that resulted in an 83 response discussion. Very nice!
HS Principal outs teenage lesbian to parents
http://current.com/items/89221845_
The mix of privacy rights violations and the handling of the situation culminated in 124 responses from the community, making this the most discussed story on Current this week.
Did any other stories grab your attention this week? Clip them in a response below, and let us know what made them compelling to you. That’s it for this week!
Mario
Online Community Team
Connect on Current.com: http://current.com/people/mario_a
Follow the Current.com team on Twitter: http://twitter.com/current_com
Follow me on Twitter? http://twitter.com/manima Another week has flown passed us like a whirlwind, and while people are still focused on the Olympics, it does seem like the buzz has ... more -
Sick Cows, Not Food
In February, 2008, the USDA ordered the largest recall of meat in US history (143 million pounds), and some think it highlights potentially systemic weaknesses in how we inspect our nation's food supply. In February, 2008, the USDA ordered the largest recall of meat in US history (143 million pounds), and some think it highlights potent... more
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S Korea resumes US beef imports
"South Korea has received its first shipment of US beef since imports were banned after BSE - or mad cow disease - was detected in the US five years ago.
South Korea's decision to end the ban in April sparked huge protests and cost three cabinet ministers their jobs.
Critics accused President Lee Myung-bak of compromising the health of South Koreans in order to improve prospects of a free-trade deal with Washington.
The crisis was defused after the government negotiated extra safeguards.
The US agreed to restrict exports to beef from cattle less than 30 months old, believed less susceptible to mad cow disease.
President Lee also publicly apologised for his handling of the issue."
I didn't even know there was a ban! "South Korea has received its first shipment of US beef since imports were banned after BSE - or mad cow disease - was detected i... more -
Korea comes together against presidential policies
"Lord, let there be light upon us."
Over 20,000 religious followers and citizens assembled in front of Seoul City Hall to start the "Emergency gathering of political situation and Mass of proclaiming citizen dignity and urging repentance of the president's arrogance."
(News Article from OhmyNews International)
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.as...
(Video Clip from CBS [Christian Broadcasting System of South Korea] Nocut News)
....
Yesterday in Seoul, Koreans' Candles got new life. Non-Violence protest and progress, It's the reason of Korean hold candles because The republic of Korea (South Korea) is established by people power.
More Relative News Clip
South Korea beef protests escalate - June 11 2008 (Aljazeera English)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x2m3bI52dww
South Koreans fearful of beef - 13 June 2008 (Aljazeera English)
http://current.com/items/89020664_south_koreans_fearful...
South Korea's culture of protest - 14 Jun 08 (Aljazeera English)
http://current.com/items/89023291_south_korea_s_culture...
6.29 Crash between Riot Police and People. (Euronews No Comment)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aGCqG08hJ4o "Lord, let there be light upon us." ... more -
Korea, U.S. agree new beef trade terms
Korea will not import U.S. beef from cattle aged 30 months or older until the Korean public regains its trust in American beef... [Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon] said the two governments agreed effectively to block import of American beef from older cattle through a Quality System Assessment program that requires the U.S. government to approve and verify processing controls voluntarily imposed by beef exporters... Korea will not import U.S. beef from cattle aged 30 months or older until the Korean public regains its trust in American beef... [Tra... more
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South Koreans fearful of beef
US beef exports to South Korea could be labeled with the age of the cows they came from, as a way to ease concern over the safety of the meat. The Seoul government is reeling from mass protests over a deal to resume US beef imports, but as Al Jazeera's Step Vassen reports, South Koreans fearful of mad cow disease are increasingly turning away from beef altogether.
[Induction & Video Clip from Aljazeera English]
It's not a 'favourite' problem. It's the problem about life. US beef exports to South Korea could be labeled with the age of the cows they came from, as a way to ease concern over the safety of t... more -
Thousands protest in Seuol against U.S. beef
South Koreans are upset because their government lifted traded restrictions on imports of U.S. beef in April. South Koreans fear they may get Mad Cow disease from tainted U.S. imports. 80,000 South Koreans protested outside the presidential Blue House. The entire cabinet offered it's resignation. Conservative South Korean President Lee thought the issue would be resolved by instructing the U.S. not to export older cows which are more likely to carry the disease. South Koreans are upset because their government lifted traded restrictions on imports of U.S. beef in April. South Koreans fear they... more
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Protests in South Korea imperil government
President Lee Myung-bak confronted the biggest challenge to his young and increasingly unpopular administration Tuesday as tens of thousands of demonstrators filled central Seoul to protest his agreement to resume suspended imports of American beef and to denounce a broad range of other government policies.
The country’s entire cabinet offered to resign as a way to help Mr. Lee find a way out of the crisis. It was unclear if he would accept the resignations.
Mr. Lee’s 107-day-old government has been increasingly beset by fears that his agreement to reopen markets to American beef could expose the public to mad cow disease.
or the past 40 days, central Seoul has been rocked by demonstrations , which began as rallies by hundreds of teenage students, singing, dancing and holding candles to protest the importing of American beef. They have now evolved into a protest against government policies on education, health care and consumer prices.
Once hailed as a potential savior of South Korea’s troubled economy, Mr. Lee has lost public confidence in his leadership over a broad range of policies at a time South Korea is grappling with a slowing economy and a prolonged crisis over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs, political analysts said.
"Lee Myung Bak, OUT!" the protesters chanted, brandishing yellow and red cards carrying the same message.
The rally almost had a mood of festivity, with the city center reverberating with anti-government slogans and people dancing to the tune of songs blared from loudspeakers.
Overhead, large balloons carried banners that read “Judgement day for Lee Myung Bak" and "Re-negotiate the beef deal." One widely distributed leaflet said: “Mad cow drives our people mad!” President Lee Myung-bak confronted the biggest challenge to his young and increasingly unpopular administration Tuesday as tens of tho... more -
Fearing Mad Cow Disease, Thousands Protest against U.S. Beef Imports in Seoul
Yep...Koreans know eating U.S. beef can make you crazy. http://www.b12partners.net/mt/images/matson_mad_cow.gif
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Police fire water cannon on thousands of South Koreans protesting against US beef ...
Police clashed with elements of a crowd estimated at nearly 40,000 who protested into early Sunday in downtown Seoul against South Korean government plans to import U.S. beef.
Water cannons were fired at some of the protesters who were blocked by police buses from a road leading to the presidential Blue House, prompting angry reaction from demonstrators.
...
The Article from AP (from International Herald Tribune)
Video Cilp from The Hankyoreh Police clashed with elements of a crowd estimated at nearly 40,000 who protested into early Sunday in downtown Seoul against South Kor... more -
Korea: It's Not About the Beef Anymore
For anti-FTA, US beef, and Lee Myung-bak(The President of Rep. Of Korea <South Korea>) protestors in Korea, the image of a young girl wielding a lit candle has become a chief unifying symbol. Even more than the images of cross-eyed, American cows, the vampiric visage of President Lee devouring a bloody steak, and the "Lee Myung-bak OUT!" signs, Candle Girl represents an underlying theme of the recent demonstrations: a search for light at the end of what is hoped to be a very truncated tunnel...
The Article from OhmyNews International
Photo from AFP
Relative article
The situation of protest about U.S. beef import in S.Korea is similar to that of June,1987 (The Hankyoreh)
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_nation... For anti-FTA, US beef, and Lee Myung-bak(The President of Rep. Of Korea <South Korea>) protestors in Korea, the image of a young... more -
SKorea resumes controversial US beef imports
South Korea lifted its ban on US beef imports Thursday despite mounting protests sparked by fears of mad cow disease as it struggles to ratify a sweeping free trade deal with the world's biggest economy.
...
Agriculture Minister (REP. Of Korea) Chung Woon-Chun said ... "The government has fixed new sanitary conditions for importing beef," Chung said in a speech covered live on television. "The government will prioritise public health and safety in carrying out its policies."
...
"Today will go into history as a national humiliation day when the country sold out its rights to protect public health," said Cha Young, the spokeswoman for the main opposition United Democratic Party.
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the article from AFP (29,May)
Video Clip from Reuters (26, May) South Korea lifted its ban on US beef imports Thursday despite mounting protests sparked by fears of mad cow disease as it struggles t... more -
South Koreans take to street to protest against imports of U.S. beef
South Koreans spooked by fears of mad cow disease took to the streets again Monday night to protest a beef import deal with the United States.
A crowd estimated by police at 3,000 marched through central Seoul after holding a candlelight vigil at a popular gathering spot. They demand the government renegotiate the agreement, which critics say does not protect the country from beef infected with mad cow disease.
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(From The Canadian Press) South Koreans spooked by fears of mad cow disease took to the streets again Monday night to protest a beef import deal with the United... more -
SKoreans protesting against US beef imports clash with police at 2nd rally
Hundreds of South Korean protesters clashed with riot police early Monday during an illegal rally against a beef import agreement with the United States.
...
A policeman "shoved me and slammed his shield into my right side," Cho Ik-bi, a 36-year-old businessman, told The Associated Press as he was taken to an ambulance.
....
Restricted imports of U.S. beef reached South Korean supermarkets last year, but further shipments were canceled in October after banned parts, such as bones, were found. An agreement reached last month sought to scrap nearly all the quarantine restrictions imposed by the previous government to guard against mad cow disease.
...
The article from AP
Video from The Hankyoreh - http://english.hani.co.kr Hundreds of South Korean protesters clashed with riot police early Monday during an illegal rally against a beef import agreement with... more -
Government wants less Mad Cow Testing!
"This is the government telling the consumers, `You're not entitled to this information,'" Frye said.
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S.Korean's Candle light relay against importing full US beefs
Korean Government decided to allow import US beef, which included cattles after 30 month and with bone.
(Currently, cattles under 30 month without bone)
So, Korean worry about MAD COW Disease and they purposed their opinions by candles.
(Photo from Yonhap News / News article from The Korea Times)
(Relate Editorial)
Paying (diplomatic) tribute (The Hankyoreh)
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editor...
Mad Cow Scare: Beef Market-Opening May Stoke Anti-American Sentiment (The Korea Times)
http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2008/05/202_235... Korean Government decided to allow import US beef, which included cattles after 30 month and with bone. ... more -
Two people die from Mad Cow Disease in Spain
Two people have died in Spain after contracting the human form of "mad cow disease", variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), Spanish media has said.
The two died in the central region of Castilla-Leon, one three months ago and the other last week, regional health sources were quoted by news agency AFP.
The disease was first found in humans in 1995 and is thought to be transmitted in infected meat and bone.
One of the dead was 41 and the other was 26, Spanish national radio said.
The health department said these were not the first vCJD deaths in Spain but did not give details, Reuters news agency reported.
The only previous case of a death in the country from vCJD was in Madrid, in 2005, Spanish radio reported. Two people have died in Spain after contracting the human form of "mad cow disease", variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD... more
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Mad Cow Disease
