rBGH – A Hidden Health Risk

What is rBGH?

Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) is a hormone genetically engineered by Monsanto; it is injected into cows to promote increased milk production. Other names rBGH is known by are Posilac, BGH, BST, and rBST. Posilac is the name of the packaged hormone that Monsanto sells to farmers.

How Does rBGH Work?

rBGH directly stimulates the cow’s production of Insulin-like Growth Factor – 1 (IGF-1), which in turn increases the milk production.

What are the Dangers?

For starters, here is a list of “possible side effects” listed on the labels of Posilac:

• Mastitis
• Increased body temperature
• Digestive disorders
• Enlarged hocks & knee lesions
• Infertility
• Cystic ovaries & uterus problems
• Premature calves and increased birth weight
• Higher rates of twins
• Increased risk of retained placenta after calving

We consumers have been drinking milk contaminated with bacteria from mastitis and overloaded with antibiotics used to treat that mastitis. Companies claim that the milk is tested for antibiotics prior to being shipped to consumer markets, but the truth is that only FOUR out of 82 commonly used antibiotics are tested for. Do you know anyone that is resistant to antibiotics? This is probably why!

Because of the increased levels of IGF-1, there is also an increased risk of cancer.

Within the first six months of Posilac use, farmers reported several problems with their previously healthy cows. Many died from the use of rBGH, even more, gave birth to severely deformed calves, and still, others became infertile. Monsanto and the FDA dismissed these concerns, trying to bury the truth so consumers wouldn’t find out.

After performing autopsies on deceased cows that had been injected with rBGH, it was discovered that the cow’s bones were deformed; to create more milk, the cow’s body takes calcium from the bones, leaving the bones weakened and deformed. Yet we are told rBGH is safe!

rBGH is Banned in Canada & Other Countries

Upon reviewing the rBGH information provided to them by Monsanto, Canadian officials were shocked to see that the FDA had either blatantly ignored the adverse effects of rBGH or merely discounted it as unimportant. In a 90-day study on rats, scientists had found that rBGH is indeed absorbed into the bloodstream. The hormone weakened the rat’s immune system, and caused other health problems as well.

At the very least, these studies should have prompted the FDA to perform further testing before introducing the drug to American consumers.

Monsanto even resorted to bribery when Canada dragged their heels, offering them a million dollars in research funding if rBGH was approved.

Now tell me: given all of this information, does it sound like Monsanto, or even the FDA, have our best interests, or even our interests, in mind?

Sources:

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/issues/rbgh/index.html

http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/BGH.html

http://www.ejnet.org/bgh/nogood.html

http://www.organicconsumers.org/rbgh/msnbconrbgh.cfm