By placing the notice on their milk products, Braum’s has entered a growing controversy and corporate fray involving Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), a synthetic version of the naturally occurring Bovine somatotropin (bST), or bovine growth hormone (BGH), a protein hormone created in the pituitary gland of milk cows and associated with milk production. Battle lines are being drawn between factions who claim the synthetic hormone version is safe and those who aren’t so sure.

In 1994, Monsanto patented and placed on the market the controversial chemical as a boon to milk producers. Cows injected with the synthetic hormone produced up to 10% more milk daily. It was an easy sell as most milk producers jumped at the chance to use a product that provided such a positive impact on their bottom line. According to Monsanto, approximately one third of dairy cattle in the U.S. are now being injected with rBGH under the brand name Posilac. Approximately 8,000 dairy producers use the product and it is currently the top selling dairy cattle pharmaceutical product in the U.S.

Rumblings against the product began as early as 1995 when consumer advocacy groups questioned the use of rBGH on the grounds that not enough studies had been done to prove its safety. The groups cited the fact that several countries around the world including Canada and most of the European Union had not approved the use of the synthetic hormones in milk cows. In addition concerns were raised as to the effect injections of the hormone had on cattle. Disclaimers on the Monsanto Web site acknowledge the use of rBGH can have detrimental effects on cattle including reproductive and foot problems and an increase in the likelihood of a bovine form of Mastitis, an inflammation of the milk producing glands of cows. Some studies have even suggested links of the hormone to breast, prostate and colorectal cancers in humans.

On the other hand, Monsanto attests to the product’s safety and points to many studies to validate their claim. Regulatory, academic and scientific bodies such as the World Health Organization, American Medical Association, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission Directorate for Consumer Health and the American Veterinary Medical Association have all found milk from rBGH-supplemented cows to be safe for humans.

Source: GTR News Online