Unlabeled milk from cows treated with biosynthetic growth hormones: a case of regulatory abdication.
Levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are substantially elevated and more bioactive in the milk of cows hyperstimulated with the biosynthetic bovine growth hormones rBGH, and are further increased by pasteurization. IGF-1 is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, as evidenced by marked growth-promoting effects even in short-term tests in mature rats, and absorption is likely to be still higher in infants. Converging lines of evidence incriminate IGF-1 in rBGH milk as a potential risk factor for both breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
Epstein
S S
SS
School of Public Health West, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone