I just read a post from someone who suggested developing a non-lethal test
to detect the rabies virus.  Such a test already exists.  Although it is not
the current standard and therefore public health will not accept it (I know
this from experience, but more on that later).  The test involves analyzing
a sample of spinal fluid for the virus and actually has a lower incidence of
false results.  The problem with this test in ferrets is their small size.
It takes a very competent vet with a steady hand to not risk spinal injury.
How much skill does it take to lop off a head?
 
During a break on the last day of testimony in the Kdo trial I approached
the opposition (with the permission of Bob, Kathy, and Sal) with the
following compromise solution to the situation.
 
1). The ferret owners would pay all expenses to have the non-lethal test
    done.
2). If the test came back positive they would agree to immediately have
    Kodo euthanized and the test results verified by brain tissue analysis.
    They would agree to the same if the results came back inconclusive.
3). If the results came back negative all parties would agree to observe
    Kodo in quarantine until the 30 day mark and, barring any signs of
    illness he would be returned to his owners.  If signs consistant with
    rabies developed he would be tested.
 
I thought this would have been a reasonable compromise and would address
their concerns (actually we were willing to bend over backwards and stack
the deck in their favor).  But they flatly refused the offer because the
test I described wasn't mentioned in the compendium (neither is the
immunoflouresence antibody test).  This is typical of beaurecrats.  They are
unwilling to take a chance and move forward to something possibly better
because it is not the "accepted" practice.
 
[FM]
[Posted in FML issue 1962]