RECOMBINANT bovine somatotropins (rBST) are biosynthetic versions of the naturally occurring pituitary hormone in cows. They also are known as bovine growth hormone (bGH). Bovine somatotropin differs in structure from human pituitary growth hormone and is biologically inactive in humans. Recombinant bovine somatotropin increases milk production in cows. Treatment of dairy cows with rBST has generated a great deal of controversy and public interest. Questions have been raised about possible adverse health effects of the consumption of milk and meat from rBST-supplemented animals and of the treatment of dairy cows. To assess these issues, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination, and the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health convened the Technology Assessment Conference on Bovine Somatotropin from December 5-7, 1990. A panel was charged with
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 1991 study studied this question.