AnimalNet Dec. 12/03 -- II
Veneman
announces bovine genome sequencing project: Canada part of a $53M US
international effort to sequence the cow (bovine genome)
Stillwater,
Okla.-based firm's software aims to cut to heart of beef origin
Value added
fuels increased retail pork sales
New issue of
Healthy Animals now online
Phony
'physicians' group ranking airport food is a PETA affiliate, says the Center for
Consumer Freedom Animal-Rights Front Group censured by the AMA
how to subscribe
Veneman
announces bovine genome sequencing project: Canada part of a M US international
effort to sequence the cow (bovine genome)
December 12, 2003
From a press release
WASHINGTON, DC--Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the launch
of the $53 million US Bovine Genome Sequencing Project during a ceremony at the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This joint sequencing effort is a collaboration among the National Human Genome
Research Institute (NHGRI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH);
USDA; the state of Texas; Genome Canada; The Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization of Australia; and Agritech Investments Ltd (a
subsidiary of Meat New Zealand), Dairy Insight Inc. and AgResearch Ltd, all of
New Zealand.
"This project is an excellent example of what can happen through
public/private partnerships," said Veneman. "Sequencing the bovine
genome is a vital first step that will lay the groundwork for breakthroughs that
will benefit both human health and agriculture. Eliminating hunger, improving
nutrition and reducing agriculture's impact on the environment are all potential
outcomes of this research."
Contributors to the Bovine Genome Sequencing Project include: NHGRI, $25
million; USDA, $11 million; the state of Texas, $10 million; Genome Canada, $5
million; The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of
Australia, $1 million and Agritech Investments Ltd., Dairy Insight Inc. and
AgResearch Ltd., all of New Zealand, $1 million.
Attending the event were Dr. Joseph J. Jen, agriculture undersecretary for
Research, Education and Economics; Dr. Francis Collins, director of NHGRI;
Kathie L. Olsen, associate director, White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy; Dr. Martin Godbout, president and CEO of Genome Canada and
representatives from the state of Texas, Australia, and New Zealand.
"The National Human Genome Research Institute is gratified that the U.S.
federal government, state government and international agencies have joined
together to support this important project. This unique collaboration will have
benefits for both the world's health and the world's food supply," said Dr.
Collins.
The bovine genome is similar in size to the genomes of humans and other mammals,
with an estimated size of 3 billion base pairs. Besides its potential for
improving dairy and meat products and enhancing food safety, adding the genomic
sequence of the cow (Bos taurus) to the growing list of sequenced animal genomes
will help researchers learn more about the human genome. The genomic DNA
sequencing activities will be carried out by Baylor College of Medicine's Human
Genome Sequencing Center in Houston, while the full-length cDNA sequencing (the
sequencing of genes) will be carried out at the sequencing platform of Genome
British Columbia, located at the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver and
at the University of Alberta.
"The recent occurrence of "Mad Cow Disease, involving a single cow in
Canada, demonstrated quite clearly how deeply an economy can be affected by a
problem in the cattle industry and how crucial it is to avoid another situation
like this one," said Dr. Martin Godbout, president & CEO of Genome
Canada. "It is important for the international community to invest in
fundamental science that will help us all overcome the challenges of this
industry. Research in this field is imperative and Genome Canada is extremely
proud to be a partner in this important project and very enthusiastic it has now
been launched."
NHGRI has a photo of the type of cow that is being sequenced available at
www.genome.gov/10506722.
Stillwater,
Okla.-based firm's software aims to cut to heart of beef origin
December 11, 2003
Knight-Ridder Tribune
Jim Stafford, The Daily Oklahoman
Steve Holcombe, president and chief executive officer of Stillwater-based
Pardalis Software, was cited as saying his company has targeted the beef
industry as a key market for a software product it has developed, adding,
"When you go buy meat at the market, the butcher can't tell you where that
meat came from, whether antibiotics were used, whether growth hormones were
used; can't tell you anything about it except that it's meat and that it might
be choice or prime.”
Holcombe was further cited as saying that with a soon-to-be patented system
called common point authoring, Pardalis has developed a digital product that can
turn information about that cut of beef into a valuable commodity itself,
Common point authoring gives owners absolute control over their information and
provides what Holcombe called "radical traceability." It could provide
a high level of security and accountability in an age in which the potential for
mad cow disease and bio-terrorism are constant concerns.
Value
added fuels increased retail pork sales
December 12, 2003
Farmscape (Episode 1404)
A. C. Nielson is crediting a growing emphasis on value added processing for a
substantial increase in retail pork sales over the past year. On a dollar basis,
the sale of pork at retail in Alberta increased by approximately 11 percent over
the past 12 months and indications are the same trend held true across Canada.
A. C. Nielson Vice President of Government and Public Sector Relations Tony
Marino told those attending Alberta Pork's Annual General Meeting value added
appears to be key.
Clip-Tony Marino-A. C. Nielson
It's interesting because, in Alberta in particular, were finding that there
has been a shift toward more premium pork products. I think consumers seem to
be looking for value add products, products that offer a certain amount of
convenience in preparation. We're talking about things like boneless pork,
seasoned pork, pork that's been cut in a way that facilitates preparation like
cutlets and medallions and things like that. These tend to be more expensive
product and yet, in Alberta at least, this is what seems to be driving momentum
in the 12 months. What's really interesting, I think, is that, when we ask
Canadians why they choose to buy pork, the reasons that come up the most often
are taste and versatility. Those are two very powerful attributes on which to
build product success. People are not buying this product because they think
it's affordable. They're not buying it because it's cheap. They're buying it
because they really enjoy what it tastes like and the ways they can use it and
prepare it and I think that's the kind of thing the industry has to continue to
emphasize.
Marino says the 80 percent of Canadian households that indicate they are already
buying pork is lower than what is being seen for beef, deli meats or even
chicken. He suggests another five to 10 percent of Canadian households, or
between 500 thousand and one million, could potentially be targeted. He believes
there's also opportunity to increase the frequency of purchases among those who
are already buying. For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.
*Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council
New
issue of Healthy Animals now online
December 12, 2003
ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
The Agricultural Research Service today posted a new issue of Healthy Animals
at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/ha/han16.htm
This quarterly online newsletter compiles ARS news and expert resources on the
health and well-being of agricultural animals and fish.
Each quarter, one article in Healthy Animals focuses on a particular element of
ARS animal research. The current issue looks at an experimental vaccine against
shipping fever in cattle. The vaccine was created by deleting a gene segment
from bacteria that cause shipping fever.
Other research highlighted in this issue includes:
* An improved method for supplying farm-raised catfish with oxygen during a
crucial production stage.
* A compound from a weed that may help catfish farmers battle the ram's horn
snail.
* Remote sensing that matches grazing animals with the right forage more quickly
and more easily.
* Swine at various locations in the country receive different levels of
nutrients from the same feed mixtures.
* A new test that shows which trout are genetically inclined to develop more
muscle and less fat.
Professionals interested in animal health issues may want to bookmark the site
as a resource for locating animal health experts. An index lists ARS research
locations covering approximately 70 animal health topics. These range from
specific diseases, such as Lyme disease, to broad subjects like nutrition or
parasites. The site also provides complete contact information for the more than
25 ARS research groups that conduct studies aimed at protecting and improving
farm animal health. To receive an e-mail alert about each future issue's posting
online, contact Jim Core, ARS Information Staff, telephone 301-504-1619, jcore@ars.usda.gov,
or sign up online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/ha/subscribe.htm ARS is the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.
Phony
'physicians' group ranking airport food is a PETA affiliate, says the Center for
Consumer Freedom Animal-Rights Front Group censured by the AMA
December 12, 2003
From a press release
WASHINGTON -- This week an animal rights group masquerading as a medical charity
issued a report suggesting that airport restaurants serving meat and dairy foods
are "unhealthy." The Center for Consumer Freedom called on the
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) to stop misleading
consumers and come clean about its animal-rights motive for attacking these
animal-based menu items.
PCRM has well-documented ties to the animal rights movement, including over
$850,000 in financing from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
PCRM president Neal Barnard, a non-practicing psychiatrist, sits on the board of
The PETA Foundation with PETA co-founder Ingrid Newkirk. PCRM has asserted
itself as a home for anti-meat, pro-vegan nutrition zealots who are committed to
removing beef, dairy, poultry, and other animal products from the American diet
for good.
"Most Americans are too smart to knowingly take dietary advice from PETA.
But when animal rights activists put on the sheep's clothing of the medical
profession, it becomes harder to know who's credible," said David Martosko,
the Center for Consumer Freedom's Director of Research. "These so-called
'physicians' have a huge hidden agenda. Force-feeding animal rights propaganda
to Americans doesn't sound very 'responsible' to me, and the established medical
community agrees."
The American Medical Association has soundly rejected PCRM's dietary advice in
the past, writing that it "finds the recommendations of PCRM irresponsible
and potentially dangerous to the health and welfare of Americans." In a
separate public censure, the AMA marveled at "how effectively a fringe
organization of questionable repute continues to hoodwink the media with a
series of questionable research that fails to enhance public health."
Martosko added: "The last thing busy holiday travelers need is an animal-
rights activist hanging over their shoulder telling them what to eat. Americans
should be free to make their own food choices without wading through this sort
of misinformation."
The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by
restaurants, food companies, and consumers working together to promote personal
responsibility and protect consumer choices. To learn more, visit
www.ConsumerFreedom.com.
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