rBGH Milk Issues
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) was the first genetically engineered substance allowed into the American food supply, and has been used since 1994. It is Monsanto's 'copy' of the naturally occurring hormone produced by cows, and while sold under the name POSILAC, you'll also see it described as BGH, rBGH, BST and rBST. When injected into dairy cows, milk production increases by 10-15%.
Many people are concerned about the safety of rBGH use and its affect on the dairy industry and small farmers. In fact, it is banned in Canada and Europe, and when Monsanto tried to sell POSILAC a few years ago, there were no takers. Many scientists believe the safety studies conducted by Monsanto were flawed, and that there are significant differences between normal milk and milk produced by cows injected with the drug. Cows under POSILAC often have large, infected udders requiring extra antibiotics and most experience a much shorter lifespan than normal cows.
One of the most disturbing issues with rBGH actually has to do with free speech. Monsanto is using lobbying efforts and lawsuits against farmers to try to make it illegal to claim that a dairy product is "rGBH Free". A survey by ABC News conducted June 13-17, 2001 found that 93 percent of the public believes that genetically modified foods should be labeled. As ABC News states, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare."
Learn More:
We support consumer's right to know what is in the food they buy for their families. The links below have plenty of more information on this issue, plus suggestions on how you can help ensure that dairies can label their products to inform consumers on their farming practices in relation to rBGH and other genetically modified organisms.
The Campaign (for GMO labeling)