By Theodora Filis
.png)
How frequently do news organizations insist their reporters 'slant' the story in favor of the special interests that may threaten to sue or cancel advertising? How many news organizations have been pressured not to tell the truth by those who stand to profit most from the continued use of rBGH?
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone – r-BGH, is a synthetic form of growth hormone injected into cows to increase growth rates and milk production. Manufactured by Monsanto, rBGH was introduced to the market in 1993 under the product name Posilac. rBGH is also referred to as rBST (recombinant Bovine Somatotropin).
Cattle naturally produce BGH. In the 1930′s, farmers discovered that injecting this hormone from slaughtered animals into dairy cows increased their milk production by 10-15 percent. But the difficulties in getting BGH limited this practice. Recombinant DNA technology allows for the production of rBGH to be sold commercially.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved rBGH in 1993. According to opponents of the drug, the effects of rBGH were never properly studied. The FDA relied solely on one study administered by Monsanto in which rBGH was tested for 90 days on 30 rats. The study was never published, and the FDA stated the results showed no significant problems.
The FDA has interesting connections to Monsanto. Michael Taylor, former FDA commissioner for policy was an attorney for Monsanto prior to joining the FDA and went to work for Monsanto directly upon leaving the FDA. The FDA maintains that “no significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST & non-rBST treated cows.” There is no requirement for the US for milk produced with rBGH to be labeled as such.
The European Union, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia prohibit the use of rBGH/rBST/.
The USDA has estimated that over 40 percent of large dairy operations in the US inject their cows with rBGH. According to the National Milk Producers Federation, nearly 430 million gallons of milk produced with rBGH were distributed through the National School Breakfast, Lunch, and Special Milk programs during the 2005-2006 school year.
Despite opposition from scientists, farmers, and consumers, the US currently allows dairy cows to be injected with rBST/rBST. The FDA continues to assure consumers that rBGH is safe for cows and humans, despite evidence to the contrary. In 1994, the FDA prohibited dairies from claiming there was any difference between milk from rBGH-injected cows and milk produced without artificial hormones. This controversy continues today, and many believe the FDA is suppressing the dangers of this issue.
Because news organizations are pressured by those who stand to profit most from the continued use of rBGH, it's important consumers make educated food choices and take time to research the products they consume. Take action today and tell Congress to mandate that schools purchase rBGH-free milk: http://salsa.
Suggested Reading:
Bovine Growth Hormone: http://www.
Learn how to go BGH free: http://www.
Organic Consumers Association: http://www.
Comments
Post a Comment