Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) and Milk Martin Donohoe Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility Campaign for Safe Food

rBGH Outline: – Precautionary Principle – Uses and risks – Approval process – International perspectives – Getting rBGH out of milk

The Precautionary Principle When evidence points toward the potential of an activity to cause significant, widespread or irreparable harm to public health or the environment, options for avoiding that harm should be examined and pursued, even though the harm is not yet fully understood or proven.

The Precautionary Principle Give human and environmental health the benefit of doubt. Include appropriate public participation in the discussion. Gather unbiased scientific, technological and socioeconomic information. Consider less risky alternatives.

Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) aka recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST), brand name Posilac © Used to increase milk production by cattle rBGH raises levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in cows and cows’ milk IGF-1 survives pasteurization and gastric digestion (due to casein protein in milk)

rBGH 10-14% of U.S. dairy cows injected with rBGH – 9-12% of U.S. dairy operations (down from 23% in 2003) May increase costs to dairy farms Increases growth rate of cattle, which require increased protein feed, burn out early

rBGH Marketed primarily to large dairy farms (LDFs), which are supplanting small dairy farms LDFs have – Worse environmental impact records – Higher rates of workplace injuries – Contribute to decreasing agricultural diversity

Effects of rBGH on Humans Serum IGF-1 levels increase 13% above baseline in individuals drinking milk from rBGH-treated cattle IGF-1 interacts with estrogens, androgens, and other growth promoters Milk is the food most associated with high IGF-1 levels IGF-1 not important in yogurt, since it is used as a food source by some of the bacteria responsible for yogurt production

Risks of rBGH IGF-1 is a suspected contributor to breast, prostate and GI cancers – Promotes cell division and reduces apoptosis (preprogrammed cell death) in animals – Inhibits the ability of various anti-cancer drugs to kill cultured human breast cancer cells

Risks of rBGH Along with pesticides, other endocrine disruptors, and obesity, IGF-1 may be partly responsible for earlier onset of puberty (9.9 yrs in 2006, compared with 10.9 years in 1991) – IGF-1 also associated with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and obesity Women who eat dairy products deliver twins at five times the rate of vegans

Risks of rBGH Children, who have more years of life to live and drink more milk (and more milk per body weight) than adults, are disproportionately affected Some evidence suggests rBGH milk being funneled to U.S. children through school lunch programs – Many school systems have gone rBGH-free

Harmful Effects of rBGH FDA: rBGH causes 16 different harmful conditions in cattle, including heat stress, hoof disorders, GI disturbances, birth disorders, ovarian and uterine problems, and mastitis – Antibiotic treatment of mastitis leads to increased antibiotic resistance in cattle and humans

rBGH (Posilac © ) Originally developed and marketed by Monsanto Sold to Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly, in 2008 for $300 million – Monsanto stock then rises 5%, while Eli Lilly’s drops 1%

Monsanto Agent Orange, PCBs, dioxins, DDT Largest producer of genetically-modified seeds – Contamination events – Unethical experiments – Harassment of scientists

Monsanto Pesticide Roundup used in “War on Drugs” in Colombia Incidents of bribery, environmental contamination Profitable Member of corporate front groups fighting food safety legislation/organizations

Monsanto Roger Beachy (long-time president of the Danforth Plant, Monsanto’s nonprofit arm) now chief of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, overseeing almost $500 million in grants and research funding

Monsanto Islam Siddiqui, VP at CropLife America (US branch of CropLife International, an agribusiness front group led by Monsanto and others) Obama’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the US Trade Representative’s Office

Eli Lilly Paid record-setting settlement of $1.42 billion to US Justice Department for illegally marketing Zyprexa to children and elderly for non-FDA approved indications Multiple other instances of illegal and unethical marketing

Eli Lilly Manufactures antibiotics used to treat mastitis Produces Gemzar (used to treat breast cancer)

Elanco Marketed diethylstilbestrol (DES) for almost 2 decades despite data showing link between DES exposure in mothers and clear cell vaginal cancers in offspring – Outlawed for human use in 1971 – Banned for use in cattle in 1979

Elanco Manufactures ractopamine (Optaflexx), a beta agonist given to livestock for last 7-28 days of life to increase protein synthesis – OK’d by FDA, but banned in 160 nations – Can cause hyperactivity and muscle breakdown – Dangerous for human consumption

Elanco 2009: Elanco paper, commissioned through PR company Porter-Novelli, authors paid by Elacno – Loaded with misinformation (see report and OR PSR rebuttal on phsj website) Authors admit falsely claiming AMA and AAP endorsements for rBGH, misstate ACS’s neutral position

FDA Approval of rBGH OK’d for use by FDA in 1993; on market since 1994 FDA official (and former Monsanto attorney) Michael Taylor oversaw process – became Monsanto VP after leaving FDA; now FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine

FDA Approval of rBGH FDA relied on industry summary of internal tests Several scientists in FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine reported undue corporate influence that corrupted the science

FDA Approval of rBGH GAO investigation: – Found 3 FDA employees involved in decision had conflicts of interest – Multiple ethics rules violations – Criticized sloppy, manipulative science, lack of data on human health effects

Repressed Information on rBGH Fox News report on health risks repressed One of the reporters awarded $425,000 by jury, which agreed that Fox “acted intentionally and deliberately to distort the plaintiffs’ news reporting on rBST.”

Repressed Information on rBGH Appeals court overturned verdict: – Whisteblower statute only protects people who threaten to report a violation of a law, rule, or regulation – Distorting TV news is not technically illegal Reporters received Goldman Environmental Prize (“the Nobel Prize for the environment”)

rBGH Worldwide Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the European Union have banned/refused to approve rBGH – However, dairy products produced by rBGH-injected cattle can be imported into many of these nations – EU Food Safety Agency updates ban 2007

rBGH Worldwide The Codex Alimentarius, the UN’s main food safety body, has refused to certify rBGH as safe Economic/trade consequences for U.S. farmers using rBGH

Public Opinion and Economics re rBGH Consumers increasingly aware of rBGH 80% of consumers want labeling Most willing to pay more for milk free of artificial hormones

Public Opinion and Economics re rBGH Many dairies and milk product brands have gone rBGH-free, as have all four major Portland, OR hospital systems (for fluid milk) and approximately 250 hospitals nationwide Price for organic/rBGH-free milk products decreasing, especially in markets where most producers have gone rBGH-free (e.g., OR, WA, ME, and most parts of CA)

Public Opinion re rBGH “We’re not aware of any consumer demand for [an rBGH-free] product.” – Kevin Holloway, Monsanto, Capital Press (Salem, OR), Feb. 2, 2007.

Public Opinion re rBGH “Our customers' increasing interest in their health and wellness is the basis for our decision [to begin requiring certification that our milk is from cows not treated with rbST].’” – William Boehm, Senior Vice President – Kroger, Atlanta Journal – Constitution, Aug. 3, 2007.

Public Opinion re rBGH “When it comes to our decision to carry rBST-free milk, we are simply listening and responding to what our customers have asked for.” – Shannon Patten, Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, FL Ledger, June 10, 2007.

Public Opinion re rBGH “When Tillamook’s (rBGH-free cheese) policy became public, we received overwhelmingly supportive feedback. In just two weeks, more than 8,500 consumers contacted us, backing our policy.” – Jim McMullen, former Tillamook (OR) CEO, Cheese Market News, May 13, 2005.

rBGH and Greenhouse Gasses Causes 10% increase in milk production, but: – May increase food costs – Increased greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, which contribute to global warming (per FDA, NAS, and EPA) – Treated cows burn out faster, slaughtered earlier FDA turned down Monsanto’s request to label rBGH as feed-efficient (and therefore causing fewer greenhouse gas emissions)

Other potential risks of rBGH-use Virtually all dairy cattle turned into hamburger – Mastitis a common reason for early slaughter – 1/6 cull dairy cattle destined for slaughter contain dangerous pathogens (e.g., E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella)

Other potential risks of rBGH-use rBGH increases growth rate of cattle, which require increased protein feed – One of the cheapest and most commonly- utilized forms of protein is other dead animals, via rendering Mad Cow Disease – USDA can bar meatpackers from testing slaughtered cattle

Other Issues re Milk Scientific evidence shows that some of the purported benefits of milk may be false Calcium and Vitamin D supplements are widely available, inexpensive, and contain 0 calories Many non-Europeans are lactose-intolerant

Other Risks Involving Milk: Melamine Falsely elevates apparent protein content of milk, allowing milk to be watered-down Nephrotoxic, by causing crystals to form in kidneys 19 sentenced (including 2 – death penalty, 3 – life in prison) 51,000+ children sickened in China (at least 6 deaths) in 2008/9 – Melamine still found in many products sold imported from China

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food rBGH: – Goal – discontinue the production of any dairy products from cows treated with rBGH Oregon $600 million dairy industry

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food rBGH: – Grassroots education campaign so that citizens can make an informed choice – Oppose efforts by AFACT (Monsanto front group) and others to limit labeling at the state and federal level 8 states have attempted to ban or restrict rBGH-free dairy labeling Only OH has succeeded: currently under appeal

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food All fluid milk products in Oregon now rBGH-free 55 of the top 100 U.S. dairies are now at least partially rBGH-free or have announced that they will be

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food Tillamook cheese (2 nd largest producer in U.S. after Kraft) now rBGH-free Fred Meyer, Eberhard, Alpenrose, Darigold, Yoplait, Danon, Meadow Gold, TG Lee, Velda milk products rBGH-free

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food Dean Foods (a few plants), Albertson’s, Publix, Trader Joes, and Safeway (fluid milk in No. CA and Pacific NW), and Darigold rBGH-free Wal-Mart (store brand), Kroger (includes Fred Meyer, QF, Ralphs, and Smith’s markets) rBGH- free California Dairies, Inc. (second largest US co- op) rBGH-free

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food Southwest Milk, Inc. (Florida’s largest co- op) rBGH-free General Mills, Dannon rBGH-free Campina (Europe’s largest dairy producer) going rBGH-free

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food Lactaid rBGH-free Starbucks company-owned stores rBGH- free (not franchises) Subway, Chipotle Restaurants rBGH-free Some schools going rBGH-free

Opposition to rBGH APHA (see official policy on phsj website) ANA Health Care Without Harm AMA President Ron Davis (’07-’08) BMJ

Opposition to rBGH Humane Society Animal Protection Institute Humane Farming Association Farm Sanctuary ACS – no formal position (2009); previously supported rBGH

OR PSR Campaign for Safe Food rBGH-free milk Organic milk – No rBGH or other added hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics – Contains more beneficial fatty acids Sales of rBGH-free and organic milk increasing; demand high throughout U.S.; prices falling

What You Can Do Buy rBGH-free dairy products Tell others about rBGH (schools, hospitals, churches, etc.) Support the precautionary avoidance of hormone growth promoters in beef and dairy cattle production Sign up for updates Donate to food safety groups

PSR Campaign for Safe Food: Available Resources Fact Sheets on rBGH, biopharming, and food irradiation rBGH-free Dairy Products Guide (milk and yogurt) Survey data re consumer opinions on rBGH Detailed scientific references This presentation

PSR Campaign for Safe Food: Available Resources Donohoe MT. Genetically-Modified Foods: Health and Environmental Risks and the Corporate Agribusiness Agenda. Z Magazine 2006 (December): Available at

Website Campaign for Safe Food, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility: /safe-food/campaign-for-safe- food.html /safe-food/campaign-for-safe- food.html

Contact Information Public Health and Social Justice Website