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Britain’s top scientific advisory committee on BSE meets this week to
consider tougher restrictions on feeding cattle remains to cattle. More British
cows have developed symptoms of BSE although they were born after feed
restrictions were enforced in 1996. Currently, internal organs and bones from
ruminants may not be fed to other ruminants. But blood, fat and gelatin, which
is made from bone, are still permitted. Scientists don’t yet know if eating
blood transmits infection but blood from symptom-free sheep infected with BSE
passed on the disease when injected into healthy sheep
(New Scientist, 23 September, p 6).