NIH technology assessment conference statement on bovine somatotropin
Article Abstract:
In today's advanced world, animals grown for food are given special feeds, drugs, and chemicals in order to increase production. Many people are concerned that some substances fed to animals are dangerous to the humans who later consume the animals or their products. One major area of controversy has been the safety of consumption of meat and milk from cows that have been fed a synthetic growth hormone. This hormone, recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known as bovine growth hormone (bGH), is given to dairy cows to increase milk production. A panel convened by the National Institutes of Health examined all known research on the use of rBST in cows and the health effects on human consumption of products from rBST-treated cows. Six general questions were addressed and four general recommendations were made. The panel found that milk plays a very important role in human nutrition in the United States, providing many nutrients and being the main source of calcium. The importance of milk in the American diet has led to heavy regulation to ensure its quality and safety. Cow and human milk were found to be similar in composition. Both contain hormones, but cow hormones are digested in the stomach and do not appear to enter the bloodstream. Using rBST increases cow milk production without decreasing nutritional quality and most of it is destroyed when milk is pasteurized. Most of the rBST ingested by humans is destroyed by digestion, but even if any is absorbed, human cells have no receptors for it. The rBST has not been shown to have detrimental effects on cows. However, research should continue to evaluate the use and effects of rBST. The panel concluded that rBST does increase cow milk production and does not adversely affect the cows it is given to. The milk produced was found to be as nutritious as milk from untreated cows. Finally, it was concluded that milk and meat from rBSt-treated cows is as safe for human consumption as that from untreated cows. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Bovine somatotropin supplementation of dairy cows: is the milk safe?
Article Abstract:
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently allowed the use of milk and meat from cows treated with recombinant somatotropin. Native somatotropin is a pituitary secreted hormone that stimulates growth of the body, in part, by producing secondary growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). The compound is most important in juvenile animals for growth, but has been reported to greatly increase the milk production of cows. The hormone causes the mammary glands of the animal to take in more nourishment resulting in increased milk production. The animals also eat more, and in the absence of other increased body demands for nutrient, are able to produce a larger yield of milk. The new method utilizes somatotropin produced in bacterial cultures using recombinant DNA technology. The resulting hormone is indistinguishable from native hormone, and can be produced in a cost-effective manner. In reaching its decision to allow the use of bovine somatotropin supplementation, the FDA used extensive scientific testing. As a result, the agency is convinced that the quality of the milk produced by stimulated cows is of equal food value to the milk produced by untreated cows. Although the level of somatotropin in the milk of stimulated animals is marginally higher than in untreated cows, this is without consequence for two reasons. First, for absorption to occur in the human digestive system, the hormone must be broken down into components which render it totally inactive. Second, even if absorbed, bovine somatotropin is highly species specific and only has a biologic effect in cows. Despite the years of study and clear demonstration of the quality and safety of the milk and meat from treated animals, physicians will most likely still have to deal with patients who are concerned with the safety of these products. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Genetic engineering and the use of bovine somatotropin
Article Abstract:
The last decade has brought a resurgence of negative feeling towards technology and anti-scientific thinking. During this same period, there have been monumental developments in biology and medicine. These attitudes are expressed in pressure groups that try to prevent the use of laboratory animals and the use of fetal tissue acquired by abortion. One group that has been particularly vocal objects to any use of genetic engineering without consideration of the economic or social benefits that could accrue. A good example of such anti-scientific thinking is the objection to the use of bovine somatotropin (cow growth hormone) produced by recombinant genetic technology. The compound has been thoroughly studied by the United States Federal Drug Administration during the last five years and the drug has been found to allow an increased milk production of 14 percent with no negative effects on the quality of the product or danger to humans. The impact of such increased production is likely to change the economic foundation of the diary industry. It is likely that good managers will see the opportunity of such increased production and will rapidly adopt the method. This may have an negative impact on smaller diary farmers, particularly those who do not adopt these methods early on. Economic motives and the ensuing political reaction against this drug have been concealed in an attack on the safety of bovine somatotropin. Self-interest groups should recognize that milk from treated cows is no different from milk from nontreated cows, and their economic and social objections concerning the use of this drug should be clearly stated. Genetic engineering does not belong in this controversy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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