BD asked me this morning what was the difference between rBGH and rBST...uhhhhh. Hmmmm. I knew that GH stood for Growth Hormone, and that was the extent of my knowledge. I don't drink milk due to lactose intolerance, and I skip a lot of other dairy products, too (except cheese. Oh, the bliss of a good French Brie).
So I turned to my old friend, Google. What did we ever do before Google? I vaguely recall something called an encyclopedia. But you had to go to the library (remember those?), and find the right volume and OPEN a book. That's just too much work.
rBGH stands for recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone. rBST stands for recombinant Bovine Somatotropin. Both are a synthetic hormone (marketed as Posilac and originally manufactured by Monsanto, the most evil corporation in the history of the world) that is injected into dairy cows to increase their milk production. Obviously, more milk equals more profit for dairy farmers. So where's the harm in it?
Soooo glad you asked!
1. It's bad for the cows. Use of the synthetic hormone increases mastitis in dairy cows, decreases their fertility, and can cause foot problems, among a whole host of other disorders, but it only increases the cow's milk production by 10%. In Canada, use of rBST is banned because its use has been deemed cruel to animals. Canada, I heart you.
2. Cows that have mastitis secrete pus. Cows that have mastitis receive antibiotics to combat the infection. Both of those end up in the milk. Yes. Gross.
3. The synthetic hormone is made using a genetically engineered e. Coli. Yes, that e. Coli.
4. The countries belonging to the European Union prohibit meat and dairy containing rBST/rBGH. They also prohibit the import of all meat and dairy products from the United States. You know why? Because our FDA says rBGH/rBST is safe, and the EU doesn't trust the FDA (nor should they, but I'll write about that another time). Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have also banned the use of rBGH/rBST because their studies have shown that the impact on both the animals and on humans is highly damaging.
5. Humans who consume dairy and meat products containing rBGH/rBST have exhibited greater likelihood of developing breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Mmmmmm, cancer-milk. That same synthetic hormone blocks the body's natural early defenses against microscopic cancer cells.
6. Studies are beginning to show that children who drink rBGH/rBST milk begin puberty earlier than children who drink organic milk. We're talking as early as age 6. 6!!! That's first graders with breasts and acne. 50 years ago, children began puberty around the age of 13. 50 years ago, hormones weren't added to our food. See the connection?
You need to know what's in your food. You really need to know what's in your children's food. If you don't already regularly read labels when grocery shopping, you should start. Milk and other dairy products are just the tip of the iceberg. Major retailers, such as Wal-Mart, actually stopped carrying rBST/rBGH milk due to consumer demand. That's huge. But it doesn't stop with milk. Most cheese and butter made in the US contains the hormone-milk. Check.The.Label.
Oh, and when you do check the label, you might see this phrase: "The FDA has stated that no significant difference has been shown between milk from rBST-treated and untreated cows." Uh, FDA, please allow me to call bullshit on you. The reason why all dairy products manufactured without the hormone have this labeling? Because Monsanto, the most evil corporation in the history of the world, filed suit against Oakhurst Dairy of Maine, claiming that Oakhurst utilized "unfair business practices" when it labeled its milk as having no artificial growth hormone. As part of the settlement, Oakhurst, and all dairies, had to begin using the above statement on its packaging.
Yeah, dude.
So there is the answer to BD's question. Do you have anything you'd like me to research? Ask and you shall receive, my friend.
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