Question

Explain why FDA regulations impose a 30 month age limit on the use of cows for human consumption. Also identify potential symptoms for TSE and why those symptoms can vary from individual to individual.

Answer 1

That is precisely to avoid TSE spreading into human population, the point is to reduce the probability of providing cow parts that contain the problematic prion. Nervous system normally have high probability of containing it, but we can also decrease the probability by consuming only young cattle, since after 30 months the individuals are more prone to contain the prion.

Well, TSE affects the brain making random damages along the central nervous system, and since different part of this system are in charge of controlling different functions then the symptoms will vary in each case, but they are all related to nervous defficiencies: confusion, lack of cordination, insomnia, some memory issues, repeating and uncontrolled movements, etc.