Lauren Rieves December 5, 2012 FSCN 3615 Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone

Recombinant bovine growth hormone, abbreviated rbGH, revolutionized the milk production industry decades ago but consumers and researchers are still questioning its possible lasting effects on humans. This paper will explore the relationship between the recombinant bovine growth hormone and its effects on humans, specifically the rate at which puberty in reached in young adults. It aims to answer questions about the history of rbGH, the hormones labeling requirements, IGF-1 and its connection to cancer, its side effects in cows, and rbGHs effect on development. It presents both positive and negative arguments toward the use of rbGH. Before taking a stance on rbGH, one must understand how it works and a brief history of the hormone. Recombinant bovine growth hormone, also known as rbGH, rbST or Sometribove, is a replication of the naturally occurring growth hormone. Growth hormone (GH) is a protein hormone produced in the pituitary gland of humans and animals and, is necessary for normal growth, development and, health maintence.1 Protein hormones are broken down in the stomach and lose their power to work in the body when consumed.2 Well over 60 years ago researchers discovered that extracting GH from cattle and then injecting it into cows increased milk production by 5-40 percent.3 GH acts by triggering cells to make growth factors, which cause the increased growth rate and milk production.2 It wasnt until the 1980s that it became cost effective and possible to manufacture large quantities of

growth hormone using recombinant DNA processes.1 Posilac is the product name for rbGH and is produced by Monsanto.1 The FDA states that dairy products made from cows treated with rbGH are safe for consumption by humans, however, some groups have raised concern because the FDA did not require long-term toxicology studies. Scientific research does confirm that rbGH is not absorbed by the body, has no effect on weight gain and, does not show a significant change in antibodies. 1 Most conclusions were drawn from studies where rbGH was administered orally to rats over a 90 day period. Companies and consumers are also debating what labeling regulations should be required for products containing rbGH tainted milk. In 1993 the FDA approved the hormone product because it was determined that Prosilac was safe for humans health, had no negative impact on the environment and because, there was no signifcant difference between milk from treated versus untreated cows. Because of the previously stated reasons it was concluded that under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the agency did not have the authority in this situation to require special labeling for milk from rbST-treated cows.4 On the other hand, companies that do not use milk from treated cows may voluntarily inform consumers of this fact on their labels. Products from untreated cows may be labeled as so, just as long as the label is truthful and not misleading.4 An unacceptable label would be one that implies that milk from supplemented cows is less safe or of lower quality. See the FDA website for more specific information on the labeling requirements of rbGH. The Organic Consumers Association informs that companies such as Yoplait and Dannon, along with several milk producers, have switched to all rbGH free products.5 An estimate from the Posilac manufacturer indicates that 30% of cows in the United States may be treated with the

hormone.2 However, rbGH is banned from all countries in the European Union and is not legal for use in Canada .3 There is still a lot of information that is unknown about rbGH. One, of several, serious worries about this hormone is its relationship with insulin-like growth factor. Consumers have expressed anxiety about rbGH because milk from rbGH treated cows includes significantly elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I is a protein normally found in all humans and is not known to be harmful because it is needed for normal growth, development and health maintenance. However the concern comes from several published studies that show a positive correlation between the level of IGF-I in plasma and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Data regarding IGF-I is mixed, especially with regards to breast cancer. Some sources claim it is associated with rapid growth, child height and, pubertal development and that animal protein in general, milk in particular, have been found to increase circulating levels of IGF-I.6 While other sources maintain that assumptions that milk levels of IGF-I are increased following treatment with rbGH and that biologically active IGF-I is absorbed into the body are not supported by the main body of science.1 Scientists are researching if IGF-I is just present at elevated levels or if it has a role in increasing the risk for cancer.2 Along with prostate cancer, another serious health risk is related to the growth of thyroid cysts.1 Research on rbGH and these cysts is very inadequate. While most are concerned with rbGHs effects on humans, some are curious about the effects it may have on the treated dairy cows. Due to increased milking, rbGH injected cows are more susceptible to mastitis or infection of the udders.2 More infection could lead to increased use of antibiotics which would consequently cause more antibiotic residues in the milk. Increased levels of

antibiotics in milk could prove very harmful to humans. Besides mastitis, rbGH is also known to take a toll on a cows body due to the fact that they are in a constant cycle of gestation and lactation. This wear and tear on a cows body may cut their life span down to five or less years. A normal cows life span is 20 to 25 years.7 Most intriguing is the theory that increased childhood milk consumption, specifically milk containing rbGH, may cause early development and menarche in young adults. A study by Indiana University found a weak negative relationship between frequency of milk consumption at 5-12 years and age at menarche. The main conclusion of this study was that there is some evidence that greater milk intake is associated with an increased risk of early menarche or a lower age at menarche.6 However, research in this area is very limited. In a document titled Debunking Dairy Food Myths the Academy of Dietietics and Nutrition states that there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that rbGH affects human growth and development. The same document also affirms that hormones are present naturally in all milk and that the concentration of hormones in cows milk is minimal relative to the level of normal human hormone production.8 The same organization, previously known as the American Dietetic Association published a study in July 2008 that compared conventional milk with organic milk and rbST free milk. This study concluded that there were no meaningful disparities between the different types of milk.9 Controversially there is research that states organic milk is healthier because of its increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids.10 These mixed research results are frustrating to say the least and are a sure sign that more in depth examination of hormones in our food system is needed.

As one can see there is a high need for more research, in a variety of areas, regarding rbGH. As it stands, there have been mixed results on the subject of rbGH and its effects on humans. We do know that rbGH has elevated levels of IGF-I, which may promote prostate and/or breast cancer. We also know that use of this hormone causes an increase in mastitis in the treated cows. Which causes farmers and producers to use harsh antibiotics that end up in our milk. Perhaps the most research is needed on finding out if rbGH and hormones can cause an early menarche in young girls. This hormone changed the milk industry by increasing production 5-40% in treated cows. Milk is an excellent source of a plethora of vitamins, minerals and nutrients and should not be disregarded as an asset to a diet. However, because it is such an important part of Americans diets I think that as much research as possible should be done regarding the long-term effects of hormones used to increase milk production.

Works Cited 1. (1) FDA. "Report on the Food and Drug Administration's Review of the Safety of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA, 23 Mar. 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ProductSafetyInformation/u cm130321.htm>. 2. (2) Gandhi, Renu, and Suzanne M. Snedeker. "Consumer Concerns About Hormones in Food." Consumer Concerns About Hormones in Food. Cornell University, Jan. 2000. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/factsheet/diet/fs37.hormones.cfm>. 3. (3) Marie-Hlne Le Breton, Andrea Beck-Henzelin, Janique Richoz-Payot, Sandrine Rochereau-Roulet, Gaud Pinel, Thierry Delatour, Bruno Le Bizec, Detection of recombinant bovine somatotropin in milk and effect of industrial processes on its stability, Analytica Chimica Acta, Volume 672, Issues 12, 5 July 2010, Pages 45-49, ISSN 0003-2670, 10.1016/j.aca.2010.04.030. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003267010004605) 4. (4) FDA. "Voluntary Labeling of Milk and Milk Products From Cows That Have Not Been Treated With Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. N.p., 3 Apr. 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidance Documents/FoodLabelingNutrition/ucm059036.htm>.

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(5) OCA. "OCA: Genetically Engineered Bovine Growth Hormone (Posilac, Also Known as RBGH or RBST)." Organic Consumers Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.organicconsumers.org/rbghlink.cfm>.

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(6) Wiley AS (2011) Milk Intake and Total Dairy Consumption: Associations with Early Menarche in NHANES 1999-2004. PLoS ONE 6(2): e14685. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014685

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(7) Perera, Judith. ""Mad Cows," RBGH Hormones Related." "Mad Cows," RBGH Hormones Related. Ebsco Host, 8 Dec. 1996. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.monitor.net/monitor/9612a/madcow-rbgh.html>.

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(8) Bhatia, Jatinder, MD. "Debunking Dairy Food Myths." ADA, Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. <http://www.wellnessproposals.com/nutrition/nutrition_fact_sheets/dairy_myths. pdf>.

9.

(9) No Milk Duds HERE. American Fitness [serial online]. March 2009;27(2):60. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed December 4, 2012.

10. (10)Rose, Amanda. "MILK Shake-Up." Organic Gardening 55.4 (2008): 70-72. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Dec. 2012.

**All sources were found with the university library article/journal search engine or Google scholar**

Lauren Rieves December 5th 2012 Research Proposal for FSCN 3615

Does rbGH in milk cause earlier development?

It seems that kids today are bigger than ever and growing faster than usual. In the past 50 years or so, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of processed food Americans eat, especially children and young adults. What effect is this processed food having on them? Childhood obesity rates are through the roof and its been proved that increased height and weight are determining factors for growth and development. Our food also includes a variety of preservatives and hormones, rbGH for example, that were not previously added, could these be what are making our children grow so fast? I would like to propose a research study to find whether or not rbGH, found in milk, can cause girls to develop at an earlier than normal age. Since researching the topic of rbGH I hypothesize that the hormone will cause have a slight effect on the age of which girls develop. I would start by collecting a random sample of 1,000 white, female toddlers from a variety of backgrounds and locations. I would then keep track of their height and weight development throughout adolescence. Also, their caretakers would give an estimate, in ounces, of weekly milk consumption. I would ask half of the girls to be fed rbGH-free milk and the other half would consume conventional milk. Using family history and height/weight I would predict an age for menarche for each

participant. Lastly, I would keep track of when each girl reached menarche. I would then compare the data to see if those who drank rbGH milk developed earlier than those who drank regular milk. I would also take the amount consumed into consideration. Based on previous research I would expect those who drank higher quantities of milk to develop first and those that drank high quantities of rbGH milk to mature faster than those that drank regular milk. This research plan has room for error with the self-reporting of milk consumption quantities. It could be improved by controlling how much milk participant drinks, however, that would be less cost and time efficient. This study could also be done with other types of milk (soy, almond, organicetc) to see how each variety effects development. Research has shown in the past that rbGH has no lasting effects on humans but I think this topic needs to be researched more in depth. This research will determine whether the ban of rbGH in other countries is warranted or not.