From: Alecs [alecs@rocketmail.com] Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 10:14 PM To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: docket number 98P-0151/CP1 I am writing to urge you to please grant the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals - docket number 98P-0151/CP1 ! Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand should not be allowed to enter the human food chain nor should they suffer in the name of profit. In addition to posing an increased risk for bacterial contamination, there is evidence that some downed animals may be afflicted with a form of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow Disease"), a disease which has been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). It is impossible for a consumer to tell if the meat product they buy contains downed animal. Would you want eat downed animal knowing the associated risks? It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, and they are typically pushed with tractors or dragged with chains - inhumane processes which cause injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions, to broken bones and torn ligaments. It is no more appropriate to inflict this misery upon "food animals" than it would be to do this to children. Animals, even "food animals" deserve live their lives without the hand of man torturing them, especially when that torture is in the name of profit. Has profit become so important to America that we have foregone our humanity? Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals slaughtered, and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue economic hardship. Industry experts have estimated that 90% percent of downed animals can be prevented with better care and handling. Removing the market for downed animals will provide an incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in the first place. I am urging you to please grant the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals - docket number 98P-0151/CP1! Thank you. Alecs Sakta 8449 E Kent Pl., Tucson, AZ 85710 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.