Holy Cow

A century ago, the average cow produced 1700 quarts of milk a year. Today, the "average" cow squeezes out a massive 8200 quarts of the white stuff.

The reason our super heffers are producing so much milk these days is not just because they've become extra-generous. Instead, our conventional milk farmers are pumping thier black and white beauties with rBHD - a synthetic, bovine growth hormone created by our genetic modifying friends at Monsanto.

Here's a good summary of the issues surrounding the use of rBHD from the book, "What's In Your Milk?" by Samuel S. Epstein, MD:

rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) is a genetically engineered, potent variant of the natural growth hormone produced by cows. Manufactured by Monsanto, it is sold to dairy farmers under the trade name POSILAC. Injection of this hormone forces cows to increase their milk production by about 10%.Monsanto, supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insists that rBGH milk is indistinguishable from natural milk, and that it is safe for consumers. This is blatantly false:

• rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on its POSILAC label.


• rBGH milk is contaminated by pus, due to the mastitis commonly induced by rBGH, and antibiotics used to treat the mastitis.


• rBGH milk is chemically and nutritionally different than natural milk.


• rBGH milk is contaminated with rBGH, traces of which are absorbed through the gut.


• rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), which is readily absorbed through the gut.


• Excess levels of IGF-1 have been incriminated as a cause of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.IGF-1 blocks natural defense mechanisms against early submicroscopic cancers.


• rBGH factory farms pose a major threat to the viability of small dairy farms.


• rBGH enriches Monsanto, while posing dangers, without any benefits, to consumers, especially in view of the current national surplus of milk.

The risks of cancer to consumers and particularly their children, especially those enrolled in the Public School Lunch Program, are undisputable.

If you're buying organic milk and other dairy products (good for you!) you know you're not taking in any rBGH. But these days, even some of the conventional milk producer are rejecting the hormone use. Alta Dena cottage cheese and Ben & Jerry's ice cream are just two of the major brands who offer their creamy delicious products produced from milk "provided by farmers who pledge not to use rBGH."

Yet another good excuse to buy a $4.99 pint of B&J ice cream. I'll take a scoop of the Oatmeal Cookie please ...