Recom

Milking the Issues Behind

the Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone

Terminology 

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Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH)/Bovine Somatotropin(BST) - protein hormone produced in the pituitary glands of the cattle Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) -genetically engineered copy of the BGH Posilac - brand name as trademarked by Monsanto Inc. - commercially available version of rBGH

How is rBGH used? 

The hormone is injected in cows to produce more milk than their body could.

Corresponding effects: -mastitis in cows -antibiotic resistance in humans -vulnerability to cancers -environmental issues

-patents issues -effects on small farmers -research conspiracies -labeling issues

rBGH – Then and Now 1982-1992 : Much of the research about the rBGH happened during this period.  1993 : US FDA approved the use of rBGH in the US  1994 : Monsanto started selling it  1995 : Scientific studies suggested that milk from treated cows are not safe for humans. 

1997 : rBGH opponents started putting anti-rBGH labels in their products  2002 : 22% of cows in US are injected  2007 : 17% of cows in US are injected 15% of dairy farms use rBGH  2008 : Monsanto Inc. teams up with American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology or Afact 

Issues I. II.

Health and Environmental Issues Patent and Socio-PoliticoEconomic Issues

I. Health and Environmental Issues 

Is it safe for humans and cows?

Chief concerns: 1. Cows that are treated with rBGH are harmed. 2. Humans who ingest rBGH develop antibiotic resistance. 3. Humans develop increased vulnerability to cancers.

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Cows in Danger 

Diseases positively related to rBGH:  Mastitis

– a condition which can increase the amount of cow’s pus which ends up in milk.  Lameness  Infertility

How do cows develop mastitis because of rBGH? rBGH is carried to the liver through the bloodstream.  rBGH stimulates the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 or IGF-1.  The cow supplemented with rBGH automatically consumes more feed to support increased milk production.  The increased milk production triggers mastitis in cows. 

The US FDA says… 

Any increase in mastitis that may result from use of rBGH is insignificant relative to the increase in mastitis that occurs for other reasons such as seasonal variations, extreme weather conditions, age of the cow and stage of lactation.

On Antibiotic Resistance 

It occurs when bacteria in your body change so that antibiotics don't work effectively to fight them anymore. This can happen when bacteria are repeatedly exposed to the same antibiotics or when bacteria are left in your body after you have been taking an antibiotic (such as when someone does not take the full course of their antibiotic medicine). -familydoctor.org

The US FDA says… 

Federal and state milk safety and quality control programs, as well as farmers and processors, ensure the safety of milk.

Carcinogenic Milk 

In depth look at IGF-1:  Naturally

occurs in humans and cows  Not destroyed by pasteurization  Active in the human body  Causes the cells to divide

Will it make cells to divide and grow inappropriately, thus causing tumors?

The US FDA says…  

There is no need to be concerned about the differences in IGF-1 concentrations. IGF-1  is

normally present in milk  Not active when consumed orally  Normal component of human milk  Present in human saliva Yet to be explained:  Acromegaly or gigantism  Prevention of programmed cell death  Inducement of mitotic activity

II. Patent and Socio-PoliticoEconomic Issues 

Why is it so controversial?

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Issues:  Patent

and Licensing Problems  Monsanto Controversy  Academe Manipulation  Negative effects on the lives of small farmers  Consumer’s dilemma

Patent and Licensing Problems Monsanto is the only approved marketer but three more corporations profit from rBGH worldwide marketing.  Eli Lilly, Upjohn, American Cyanamid  Controversies: 

 Monsanto

has a dark history.  The other companies were rejected because of conscious disregard for public safety.

Academe Manipulation Control of universities were done so as to win the approval of the manufacturing and distribution of rBGH.  Bribery of the corporations to universities such as : 

 University

of Minnesota  Pennsylvania State University  University of Florida

Negative Effects on Small Farmers and the Consumer’s Dilemma

Today 

The challenge for milk consumers are:  Identify

milk from treated and untreated cows.  Decide whether rBGH is an issue worth worrying about.