BREAKING: Dream Genomics, Inc. has found the first ever bioprofile in the blood of live deer, detecting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Kind of a big deal: The discovery is living proof that early diagnostics for CWD is possible with the “unique signature of more than 300 genes.”
What is CWD? It’s a fatal disease for deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Natural proteins in the animal’s body misfold, fail to metabolize, and accumulate. This causes a buildup of proteins in the brain, which disrupts the nervous system and causes sick animals to lose weight and become uncoordinated and listless—before eventually dying.
Originally discovered in the 1960s in Colorado and in wild populations in 1981, CWD has no vaccine or treatment to date.
A dream come true: “Dream Genomics’ proven advancements in gene expression profiling are being applied to discover, develop, and produce a blood test for CWD, which preserves the life of the animal being tested.” — Dr. Pusateri
Not proactive, only reactive: When CWD was detected in the past, entire herds would be exterminated in captive settings, while a great number were culled in free range. Diagnostic testing was usually postmortem.
Dr. Pusateri said the research was based on 14 years of human genomics bioprofiling, which focused on a quick turnaround of 24 hours and a test that takes less than an hour.
Background: Dream Genomics, Inc. was founded just a year ago in September 2023, with a goal of protecting wildlife populations and ensuring public health through its work combating CWD. The company is looking for equity partners and major grants.
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Congress to EPA: What’s Your BEEF with Meat Packers?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new regulations that take aim at meat and poultry processors.
And some members of Congress have a BEEF with the EPA’s proposals.
The proposed rules: In late January, the EPA released the details of its proposed “Clean Water Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Meat and Poultry Products Point source category.”
Huh?
Basically, the EPA formally published its proposals to combat wastewater contaminants that come from slaughterhouses.
Okay… that makes more sense.
At the heart of the rules proposal is a concern from environmental groups about nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants that originate from slaughterhouses. In some cases, the wastewater goes directly into waterways. In other cases, the water goes to municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
But not everyone is on board with the EPA’s suggestions…
Congress responds: Last week, two U.S. representatives—Eric Burlison (MO) and Ron Estes (KS)—pushed back against the EPA and introduced the “Banning EPA’s Encroachment of Facilities (BEEF) Act.” If passed and signed by President Biden, the law would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the rule.
According to the lawmakers, the proposed rules place undue burden on small processors—costs that can be absorbed by larger companies.
Soundbite: “The… proposed regulation isn’t just an attack on family-run small businesses, it’s an attack on rural communities,” said Burlison. “These meat and poultry processors are the lifeblood of our communities. The BEEF Act… lets these hardworking Americans do what they do best, produce safe, affordable food for our families.”
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