btaining the test samples for ELISA has provoked many organizations to question if this test is doing more harm, than good. The organizations, such as People Against the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are against ELISA testing. The majority of the samples are taken by blood or tissue. PETA, as well as other animal rights activist groups are making public protest among many different Universities and diagnostic laboratories. Though, samples can also be taken by fecal matter, direct contact of the animal (blood, and tissue) are a sure way to avoid cross-contamination of the samples.

In the United States 76% of all farms, are small farms. Many farmers find it difficult to implement such biotechnology measures to their farm or field. Though, the United States Department of Agriculture has a plan, the 2008 budget proposed that 325 million dollars would be set aside for food safety and preparedness procedures. Many farmers can obtain a grant from the USDA to implement biotechnology measures such as the ELISA test.

This use of the ELISA test can and will ensure the safety of our agriculture industry. The availability and simplicity is in our grasp, it is just a matter of using it. Farmers can now test their crops directly, securely and quickly with out driving to the diagnostic laboratory to get answers.

The threat of agroterrorism will only gain momentum if we allow it to. The possibilities are endless when attacking our agriculture industry that is why ELISA is here to say. This biotech innovation provides assurance that our agriculture is safe from Agroterrorism.

SUSCEPTIBILITY

What is the easiest way to bring down a country's economy? Compromise their food supply. For example, anyone can buy a container of anti-freeze at the store, and introduce this antifreeze into a livestock's watering system. Not only can this generate drastic effects for the farmer, but can have a severe effect in the market resulting in a sudden decrease in the value of the nations commodities. It wouldn't be any more difficult to pull over on the side of the road and spray anthrax on an open field of corn. This would contaminate the plants, and potentially have a domino effect on water, soil, nearby crops, livestock, and unaware consumers as well.

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