When was rbgh invented

Among bovine health concerns that were raised were: lowered resistance to infectious diseases, increased stress, increased mastitis, and lowered fertility. The European Community and eventually, Canada, banned the product and products from cows treated with it based on health concerns for both humans and animals. However, FDA, citing its research and various studies since then, has stood by its position.

European Ban. In , the WTO gave Europe 15 months to develop data about its concerns and a full-scale trade war threatened to break out over the issue, with the US imposing huge retaliatory tariffs on many products from Europe, the article went on to say. Shortly thereafter, the European Union, at its December 16 and 17, Council of Ministers meeting in Finland, prohibited the use of rBST in the European Union although this further ban was based on animal health concerns, as the EUs scientific bodies found no negative effects on humans.

On the other hand, Monsanto ' s website currently states:. This had nothing to do with rBST safety. The synthetic hormone rBST is found in items that use milk in their formation, such as the dairy products cheese, ice cream, butter and yogurt. Milk derivatives are used in many other food products such as candy bars, chocolate, cakes and even some chips.

Research on the link between rBST and breast cancer has produced mixed results, and more study is needed to evaluate the potential association.

IGF-1 has been shown to stimulate growth of human breast cancer cells. A recent review of the relevant epidemiological data revealed no associations between consumption of cow milk and breast cancer. Reviewed [1] European Commission. Brussels: EC, Topics: Glossary of Exposures.

Food and Drug Administration FDA turned a deaf ear to the appeals of consumers, food safety organizations and scientists to reverse its approval of the hormone, or to simply require labeling of foods containing rbGH. Because rbGH use results in more cases of mastitis, dairy farmers tend to use more antibiotics to combat the infections, the residues of which also may end up in milk and dairy products. These residues can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria, further undermining the efficacy of some antibiotics in fighting human infections.

Canadian and European regulators have found that the FDA completely failed to consider a study that showed how the increased IGF-1 in rBGH milk could survive digestion and make its way into the intestines and blood stream of consumers. These findings are significant because numerous studies now demonstrate that IGF-1 is an important factor in the growth of cancers of the breast, prostate and colon.

Thankfully, consumer outcry over the unlabeled use of rbGH has led to many dairy companies going rbGH-free, and labeling their products as such. Several scientific reviews have looked at these issues and are the main focus of this document.

Second, cows treated with rBGH tend to develop more udder infections mastitis. These cows are given more antibiotics than cows not given rBGH. Does this increased use of antibiotics lead to more antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and is this a health concern for people? This remains a concern, but it has not been fully examined in humans.

Bovine growth hormone levels are not significantly higher in milk from rBGH-treated cows. On top of this, BGH is not active in humans, so even if it were absorbed from drinking milk, it wouldn't be expected to cause health effects.

Of greater concern is the fact that milk from rBGH-treated cows has higher levels of IGF-1, a hormone that normally helps some types of cells to grow.