The recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or sometimes called bovine somatotropin (rBST) is an artifically produced version of a cow's own growth hormone. It is injected into dairy cows to increase their milk production up to 15%. The product was put on the market in 1994 by the Monsanto Corporation under the brand name "posilac" and since then the U.S. population has been consuming dairy products produced by cows treated with this genetically engineered hormone.

There are serious concerns surrounding the use of rBGH/rBST:

The drug was approved by the FDA despite warnings and concerns from consumer groups and scientists world wide. After scientific review, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and all 25 countries of the European Union will not allow use of the drug.

Cows treated with rBGH have a noted increase in a painful udder infection known as mastitis. There is an increased use of antibiotics to treat the higher rates of mastitis and other health problems from cows treated with rBST. Michael Hansen, PhD, senior scientist of the Consumers Union (publisher of consumer reports) has been quoted saying that "Additional antibiotic use due to rBGH cannot but help to contribute to the overall problem of antibiotic resistance, which is a serious problem for public health today." Cows treated with rBGH also have increased digestive disorders, reproductive disorders, more deformed calves, and suffer greater instances of hoof, knee and leg disorders.

There is substantial scientific evidence that shows cows treated with rBGH have higher levels of IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor). Increased levels of IGF-1 have been shown to promote tumor growth and are associated to an increase in breast, prostate and other cancers. Studies are suggesting IGF-1 in milk is able to survive human digestion and some studies have shown the levels of IGF-1 in milk may be high enough to affect human health.

Before rBGH was released onto the market Consumers Union polls showed Americans wanted the products from these cows to be labeled. Some small dairies remained committed to not using rBGH and when they labeled their products as such they were sued by this corporate giant, Monsanto. Monsanto's lobbying did pay off when rBGH free dairies were forced to put labels on their milk stating "no significant difference has been shown between milk dervived from rBGH treated and non-treated cows". MOMS-I.N.C. finds this to be confusing and misleading to consumers since the scientific data shows there are increased levels of IGF-1.

What you can do:

*See "MOMS-I.N.C. List of Approved Items" for dairy products near you including; butter, cheese, icecream, yogurt and more.*

Not buying products with rBST has a big influence on companies. They are tracking where your money is and isn't being spent.

There are several dairies labeling their products rBST free or certified not to come from animals treated with rBST. The label is essential because many companies have rBST free liquid products but their other products such as cheese, butter and icecream could be contracted by other companies or co-mingle with milk and facilities using rBST.

Buy imported cheeses from the countries listed above that do not allow the use of rBST.

Organic standards prohibit the use of rBST. All organic dairy products are from animals not treated with rBST.

WIC consumers are allowed to buy rBST free milk, although it doesn't say it in their "what's allowed brochure". When asked they will tell consumers if the want rBST free products and they are not available in 1 gallon form at their store but it does come in 1/2 gallons. They can substitute 2 1/2 gallons for the 1 gallon stated on the check. If the store is unaware of this have the WIC program call and explain it to the store.

Write notes and call your usual stores requesting the rBST free items you want to see. Such an easy thing can make a big difference.

Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Campaign for Safe Food Office has done a great job influencing companies in the Pacific Northwest to stop the use of Rbst through postcard campaigns. This organization is a terrific place for more science based information on rBST. Go to www.oregonpsr.org

The Institute for Social Ecology's Biotechnology Project, Hunger Mountain and Plainfield Co-ops are currently launching a post card campaign to get Cabot Creamery (New England's largest cheese producer) to phase out the use of rBST. See attachment; Cabotalerttext.txt

FOR information on Pesticides see the attached flyer. 

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