At the end of an item on ABC TV regarding the outbreak of RCD in New Zealand, ABC commentator
uttered the words.."Authorities have ruled out possibilities of humans and any other species
[except rabbits presumably] contracting the virus."
This is totally inaccurate.Authorities cannot and have not proven that rabbits and other species won't contract RCD/RHD.
In fact, on "60 Minutes" in 1996, Dr Brian Walker CSIRO said that no guarantees could be given that RCD would never infect
any other species. The August 1996 report on RCD contains results that show "positive" reactivity to RCD in species other than rabbits,
and the Australian authorities have not proven that RCD will not infect any other species.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Association of Scientists both sent submissions to New Zealand MAF against the adoption
of RHD/RCD and three independent virologists upheld the concerns of US Calicivirus expert, Dr Alvin Smith who has spoken out in Australia
and New Zealand on the dangers of spreading the RCD virus. Dr David Matson, a virologist and eminent authority on calicivirus infections
in humans also warned both the New Zealand authorities and the Australian authorities on the potential
dangers of spreading RCD/RHD.Australian authorities chose to ignore warnings from overseas
scientific authorities whilst New Zealand authorities took heed of the valid concerns regarding
the deliberate spread of a deadly hemorrhagic virus of mammals for which there is no cure and no safe vaccines to
protect any other species.
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We should all be following a lifestyle that accepts recycling, best choice in cars (low emissions), and designing our homes to be environmentally and ecologically friendly. Ethical investments can direct your investment to areas of finance, mortgages, share acquisitions, banking, loans and trading in forex and futures markets. Even your choice of coffee beans or buying organic food can mean less pollution and less suffering in the world. Children should be educated to respect each other and our planet and to follow conscious positive decisions about everything from self respect, respect for others and respect for our world. As adults we should all be setting good examples for children to follow in every way.
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