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Influence of rGH on the milk and meat production - scientific approach and public opinion

Somatotropin (ST), also known as growth hormone (GH), is a natural protein produces by the anterior pituitary gland of mammals. It is a protein hormone and is not structurally or functionally related to steroid hormones and their physiological cycle. Biotechnology has enabled scientists to produce a recombinant form of this protein called rGH or rST. They have found that supplementing cows´ natural level of bovine GH improves their efficiency as milk producers up to 10%. The mammary glands of such dairy cows take in more nutrients from the bloodstream and produce more milk. Scientists agree that bovine GH, whether recombinant or natural, has no biological effect on humans, because it already exists naturally in milk. As any protein is digested, enzymes break it down into amino acids. Any trace amounts of undigested GH are biologically inactive since research has shown that the protein is species-specific, i.e. bovine GH cannot be processed by humans because of significant chemical differences. Proponents say it enable producers bring consumers a safe supply of milk products more efficiently, but opponents insist that such milk and milk products, as well as meat and meat products are labelled for better consumers information. FDA accepts the statement "from cows not treated with rBST" with an accompanying statement that "No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non rBST-treated cows." When a cow is injected with rBST, its milk production is stimulated, but not directly. The presence of rBST in the cow´s blood stimulates production of another hormone, called Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). This hormone is identical in cows and in humans! Because IGF-1 is active in humans - causing cells to divide- any increase in milk raises questions: will it cause inappropriate cell division and growth, leading to growth of tumours?

growth hormon; rGH; milk production; meat production; contraindication

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