Quote:
Originally Posted by centaur532
That's where rBGH comes in. This hormone, given to cows, allows them to produce a lot of milk. The hormone doesn't show up in the milk and it's safe to cows.
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Again, you are mistaken on both counts. The safety has been questioned by numerous agencies, scientists and doctors.
Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. Chairman of the international Cancer Prevention Coalition maintains that the link between rBGH and cancer is "indisputable." He has written a whole book on it, as well as presenting evidence of "the corporate wrecklessness of Monsanto" (who, by the way, is behind this current cloning push) and "the complicity of the FDA."
In this news release, he talks of the difference between natural milk and Genetically engineered (GE) through rBGH:
"GE milk is entirely different from natural milk: nutritionally; biochemically; pharmacologically; and immunologicaly. It is also contaminated with: pus and antibiotics used to treat mastitis; high levels of the GE hormone; and high levels of the naturally occurring growth factor IGF-1. Elevated levels of IGF-1 in GE milk have been strongly associated with high risks of colon, breast and prostate cancers, besides promoting their invasiveness."
http://www.preventcancer.com/publica...ilkRelease.htm
Regarding safety to cows... Monsanto has been forced to label Posilac (Posilac is the Monsanto brand name for the rBGH) as follows:
Mastitis.
Cows injected with POSILAC are at an increased risk for clinical mastitis
(visibly abnormal milk). The number of cows affected with clinical
mastitis and the number of cases per cow may increase.
In addition, the risk of subclinical mastitis (milk not visibly abnormal)
is increased. In some herds, use of POSILAC has been associated with
increases in somatic cell counts. Mastitis management practices should be
thoroughly evaluated prior to initiating use of POSILAC.
General Health.
Use of POSILAC is associated with increased frequency of use of medication
in cows for mastitis and other health problems.
Cows injected with POSILAC may experience periods of increased body
temperature unrelated to illness. To minimize this effect, take
appropriate measures during periods of high environmental temperature to
reduce heat stress. Care should be taken to differentiate increased body
temperature due to use of POSILAC from an increased body temperature that may occur due to illness.
Use of POSILAC may result in an increase in digestive disorders such as
indigestion, bloat, and diarrhea.
There may be an increase in the number of cows experiencing periods of
"off-feed" (reduced feed intake) during use of POSILAC.
Studies indicated that cows injected with POSILAC had increased numbers of enlarged hocks and lesions (e.g. lacerations, enlargements, calluses) of
the knee (carpal region), and second lactation or older cows had more
disorders of the foot region. However, results of these studies did not
indicate that use of POSILAC increased lameness.
Injection Site Reactions.
A mild transient swelling of 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) in diameter may occur at
the injection site beginning about 3 days after injection and may persist
up to 6 weeks following injection.
Some cows may experience swellings up to 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter that remain permanent but are not associated with animal health problems.
However, if permanent blemishes are objectionlble to the user,
administration of the product to the particular animal should be
discontinued. Use of POSILAC in cows in which injection site swellings
repeatedly open and drain should be discontinued.
Additional Veterinary Information:
Care should be taken to differentiate increased body temperature due to
use of POSILAC from an increased body temperature that may occur due to
illness.
Use of POSILAC has been associated with reductions in hemoglobin and
hematocrit values during treatment.
Additional Information:
Milk production response during each 14-day injection period is cyclic and
will be greatest during the middle of each period.
No milk discard or preslaughter withdrawal period is required.
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Going back to Dr. Epstein-- he says:
"By 1989, analysis of available industry information showed clear evidence of adverse veterinary effects, especially reproductive and a high incidence of mastitis. Additionally, Monsanto files, leaked to me from the FDA in October 1989, showed clear evidence of other serious pathology in cows injected with the GE hormone. Review of these documents by Cong. John Conyers, Chairman of the House Committee on Government Operations, led to the serious accusation that "Monsanto and FDA have chosen to suppress and manipulate animal health test data," besides data on contamination of GE milk with high levels of the GE hormone."
http://www.preventcancer.com/press/r...s/nov18_99.htm
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