Acknowledgements.- Preface.- 1. BSE - A LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.- 1.3 The BSE Knowledge Problem.- Notes.- 2 THE SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGE.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 The Current Paradigm in Epidemiology.- 2.3 Early Epidemiological Investigations.- Notes.- 3 ARGUING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Presumption and Science.- 3.3 Presumption and Uncertainty Management.- 3.4 Presumption, Reasoning and Fallacies.- Notes.- 4 GOOD ARGUMENTS DURING THE BSE INQUIRY.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 The Early Years: 1986 to 1989.- 4.3 Summary.- Notes.- 5 THE UNRAVELLING OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE STRATEGY.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 The Middle Years: 1989 to 1994.- 5.3 Summary.- Notes.- 6 AN UNCHALLENGEABLE SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The Final Years: 1994-1996.- 6.3 Summary.- Notes.- 7 POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN THE BSE INQUIRY.- 7.1 Introduction.-7.2 Reasoning and Non-Scientific Interests in the BSE Inquiry.- 7.3 Summary.- Notes.- 8 LEARNING THE LESSONS OF THE BSE CRISIS.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 A Model of Reasoning in Scientific Inquiry.- 8.3 The Model, Risk Analysis and Public Health Science.- 8.4 Summary.- Notes.- Bibliography.- Index.