Author wrote:
Dear Joyce and Friends: You are all losing the main point....you had an epidemic to fight...and were offerred one machine to test....which was refused outright, by your own people.
That is absolutely ludicrous....especially since advancement of science and technology seems to be so important to your FMD authorities.
The opportunity to utilize this machine and it's technology was refused....yet less than a year later...your Pirbright fellows sent live virus to at least six European laboratories in at least six different countries to "test" the very same machines, and technology....with better results than from an Elisa test.
The REFUSAL TO USE AN RT-PCR WAS PURPOSEFUL.
That decision to not test it during your outbreak is unacceptable.
Burkie in Kansas

Author wrote:

Author wrote:

At 09:59 01/10/2003 +0100, you wrote:

But how many machines were readily available. And one doesn't usually have
the luxury of deploying novel technology in the face of an epidemic which
one is already struggling to cope with due to insufficient adequately
trained/knowledgeable folk on the ground.
Andrew

All the more reason to accept any help that was offered, surely?

No -because all USDA wanted was to conduct field tests with a couple of
machines – ie. 'play' with their new toys –

That seems a somewhat arrogant statement, Andrew!
Joyce