This is a guest post by Jerry G
Doesn’t anyone ever wonder why Europe won’t drink our milk? Or better yet, doesn’t anyone ever wonder why it’s okay for Americans to drink it when it’s banned in most European 
countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? Apparently it’s because these other countries’ governments are not into lying to their citizens as much as the American government is. The reason Europe won’t drink our milk—or eat our cheese—is because our milk contains rBGH, recombinant bovine growth hormone.
rBGH, known also as Posilac, is a man-made growth hormone created by the biotechnology corporation, Monsanto. Its purpose is to increase milk output in dairy cows. It is injected into the cows and has been shown to increase milk production by roughly 10 percent—but at what cost to the animals and to humans who consume the milk?
Here are some of the facts:
In Cows
- It increases the chance of mastitis in the cow, which is swelling of the udders. Mastitis causes severe discomfort for the animal and raises the chance of infection.
- It lowers a cow’s fertility by up to 40 percent by causing reproductive issues.
- It increases the chance of lameness in the cow, which means that the animal cannot walk correctly due to foot problems, muscle weakness, and disorientation.
- Infection from mastitis, lameness, muscle weakness, and disorientation can ultimately lead to the animal’s death, whether naturally or purposely.
In Humans
- rBGH stimulates the naturally occurring hormone, IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1), which contributes to healthy growth in infants and young children…
- This naturally occurring hormone is produced in the breast milk of mothers and passed on to the child through feeding…
- However, too much of it in adults can increase the risk of many cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Adults consuming rBGH milk are at higher risk than those consuming non-rBGH milk.
The Cancer Prevention Coalition concludes that:
“Drinking rBGH milk would thus be expected to significantly increase IGF-1 blood levels and consequently to increase risks of developing breast cancer and promoting its invasiveness.” For the full article, please click here.
Of course, all studies conducted by Monsanto have shown that rBGH has no health risks to the cows or humans who consume rBGH milk, but many independent studies have shown otherwise. Because the use of rBGH has been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is very hard for opposition groups to be heard.
The truth is, consumers would prefer milk from cows that have not been injected with rBGH. Regardless of the studies, human beings are smart enough to know that product produced from an animal injected with a man-made substance is probably not healthy for you! Give us some credit, Monsanto!
Because Monsanto knows this (and would lose millions of dollars if rBGH were banned), they have worked very closely with the U.S. Government to ensure it does not become a legal requirement that milk be labeled as rBGH milk.
If the consumers could see clearly that the milk in the supermarket contained rBGH, the majority of us would not buy it; we would instead opt for organic, rBGH-free milk and cheese. Hmm, buy less expensive milk that can increase your risk of cancer or spend a little bit more and buy milk that is all natural and has not shown any evidence of increased health risks…tough decision.
The bottom line is, if you are concerned with what you’re putting into your body, look for the “NO rBGH” label. If the milk (and cheese) is produced naturally, then the dairy farmers and manufacturers will be proud to show it off.
Until the day comes when it is required by law that food industries make it clear where our foods come from and how our foods are treated, we need to educate ourselves and take the necessary steps to ensure that what we are consuming is healthy.
(M.D. Creekmore’s solution – buy a milk goat.)
{ 42 comments }
Where is the Syfy movie bunch? They need to get some of those defunct actor’s and do a movie about Monsanto. Heck! I would watch it. It could be about research that contaminated the food, milk and everyone turns into zombie’s, in this picturesque high desert town, that only bottled water from a certain spring can kill. And when the water is sprayed onto them they dissolve into cornmealy type mush.
I believe science can be a good thing but they have pushed all the button’s in the name of good and have hurt us and other’s dearly.
I have a feeling all food is rotten. But until further notice we will have to make do with what we have and try to rectify it with our feeble efforts.
As far as goats go, they can be a good thing. But I will have to think about that for awhile. Don’t think my town will allow it. Sure would be nice to have for them to eat the lawn down.
Don’t count on goats to keep your lawn trimmed. They’re browsers, not grazers. To keep the lawn down you’ll need sheep, horses, or cows; although I wouldn’t personally use any of them for lawn mowing because they leave quite a bit of residue behind, if you know what I mean. LOL
Well the residue could do for a garden.
Maybe the smell would overcome all the dryer perfumey smells the people use around here.
It was just a thought.
If you get an opportunity, check out the documentry called “The Future of Food” you can find it on Netflix. The film goes into great detail about Monsanto and there tactics against farmers, also it shouldn’t be a surprise about how many former Monsanto employees work in the government!
I have considered buying a milk cow (sorry MD don’t care for goat milk :) ). When is the growth hormone administered and if the mother had it does it then pass on to it’s calf? In other words how could I ensure a calf I bought wouldn’t be affected.
I really don’t know about what’s in ‘mainstream’ milk, all I know is my wife and I prefer the taste of organic milk. Not to mention it has a much longer frig life when unopened, allowing us to stock up when in a certain membership warehouse. Taste better and last longer, da-a-a-a.
Die Monsanto, Die!
AGREED!
monsanto!! scurge of the universe!!!
Actually – you should not drink milk at all – if you are an adult. Milk (especially cow milk) has “natural” growth hormones that can have adverse affects in adults. Osteoporosis, a bone disease, stems from drinking milk. Most societies like Japan, China, Africa, Asia do not consume milk because of “Lactose Intolerance” and the rate of osteoporosis is less then 0.01%. In countries (USA, Europe) with a population that have the genetic defect (tolerance to Lactic acid) – the rate of osteoporosis is over 10%. The problem – in this case – is the lack of “complementary” growth hormones because adults are not growing an inch a month like children.
Read: Discover magazine, “Worrying About Milk” for more info.
Although, I still have an ice cream every once in a while.
I have no idea where you’re getting those statistics. Per the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the rates of osteoporosis in Asia are much higher than you state. eg, “China: Osteoporosis affects almost 70 million Chinese over the age of 50 and causes some 687,000 hip fractures in China each year.”
http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics.html
This is not to discount that milk can be an issue, but we need to stick with facts. Humans have a tendency to embrace facts & figures that fit their worldview rather than check multiple sources.
Or buy milk from sellers who refuse to stock milk with rBST in it. Many larger supermarkets, such as Publix & Kroger (and their subsidiaries) don’t allow milk with rBST to be sold in their store. Even Wal-mart and Sam’s club have an rBST free milk (their ‘Great Value’ brand).
Jerry, absolutely disgusting but 100% correct, thank you! My kids are late teens and we never bought milk for them that was laced with any hint of man induced drugs. It costs a bit more but I value my children’s health.
Years ago I switched to using almond milk (only use a quart or liter every 2 weeks) & hopefully it does not contain DDT!! ha, ha.
Great, well researched article – thanks again.
Luckily, I have access to a local, organic dairy who delivers raw milk. I use the cream off the top to make butter.
“Mastitis causes severe discomfort for the animal and raises the chance of infection.”
It’s my undertanding that a lot of the infection actually ends up in the milk. This and just the fact that it’s contaminated with hormones is what keeps me from drinking milk whenever I visit the USA.
Because of this and many more issues the evil people who run Monsanto should be charged with crimes against humanity
GREAT post. Plus milk in plastic is yucky too.
Funny I had a lady who didn’t like my eggs because they were so “yellow”! She is a dietician! Feeds her kids “trash” milk, farm fish, and now back to store bought eggs!
A friend won’t eat my eggs because they taste too “eggy!” It can be hard for a lot of people to go from flavor-lacking factory foods to the real thing. Ditto for the artificially flavor enhanced fruit flavored things. The flavor of real fruit is too subtle for them to enjoy.
God bless,
Bonnie
Opportunity Farm
NE WA
Ewwww! No wonder kids are hitting puberty when they are 5 (ok, so I exaggerated a tad but I’m not too far off)
Problem is, organic milk is $7/Gallon!!! And rising. I guess I need to get me a cow. Wonder if the HOA & neighbors will mind?
GA Mom….
No, you’re not that far off at all unfortunately.
When I graduated high school in ’89, there was maybe one or two girls who, pardon the expression, had a nice rack. I pick my 12 yr old daughter up from jr. high almost every day. Many of the girls who walk out of this school could easily pass for 16 or older. My daughter herself is starting to develop rapidly, and wouldn’t surprise me if she hit “womanhood” any day now. Scares the hell outta me.
Dean,
I saw exactly the same thing when my kids were in jr. high just a couple years ago & was amazed how much older they looked as well.
To me, what was worse was how some of the parents were oblivious to it and allowed their GIRLS (not women) to dress, accentuating their figure …. and some are surprised at the rise in teenage pregnancy.
Steve,
I see that too, the way they dress, and it’s still kinda chilly here. All this pop culture, fake/reality T.V. has skewed the minds of todays youth.
Just like the companies who don’t really care what’s in our food; all these drug induced morons who have our children’s attention don’t care what kind of message they are passing to the younger generation.
Jerry….
Thanks for the info. I will definitely start reading labels. I would have to got to the next county over to get organic, adding even more to it’s high cost. I knew there was more hormones in milk today then there was back in the day, but didn’t know there was non-organics that didn’t have the high levels. Thx for the post.
It is after reading these kind of articles that all of a sudden I’m glad that I’m lactose intolerant.
I like your solution. Anytime I see the Monsanto Company Name stamped on any research advocating their safety. I immediately turn the other way. Mr. Bill Gates has taken to their company in the passed year as well. Strange bedfellows but, they do want to make money.
Take care,
M Torres
We have been drinking only raw milk for the past 4+ years and have noticed a huge improvement in our health. We don’t catch all of the cold/flu bugs that go around (I work at a large university).
Raw milk from grass fed Jersey cows can’t be beat!
I only use raw milk too (from Jersey cows, so it’s actually yellow in colour!) and have noticed an improvement in health. It’s only been a year, but I’m so glad I found a supplier. I get it delivered once a week.
I think our laws re: raw milk are slightly freer than the US, but it’s still difficult to obtain. Once upon a time you could get it from the supermarket.
Recently, I saw an anti description in the MSM for raw milk which said that it “separates and starts to deteriorate”. By separation, I presume the write was talking about the natural tendency of the cream to rise to the surface – if milk didn’t do that, there would be no butter! As for deterioration, did the writer think that pasteurized, homogenized and standardized gunk doesn’t deteriorate? Give me a break!
This is another example of government putting corporate profit ahead of the health of its people. But I guess the Tea Party would say it’s government interference with business. You can’t win.
Great post, we switched to organic milk and cheese a few years ago as we were worried about this and the antibiotics and now I mostly use mostly almond or rice milk for my cereal. Use the milk for baking, don’t quite get the same results with pseudo milk.
Monsanto is called the most evil corporarion on earth for a reason! I was personally involved in the fight to restore labels here in my state allowing farmers to state that they DID NOT use bovine growth hormones in their milk,monsanto fought us hard but we did win!
People need to be aware of the danger these biotech companies pose to our very survivalper our ability to eat and to eat clean food(this biotech altering of foodstuffs is a form of pollution) and they need to fight back,if they dont there will be no real food left and mankind will lose thousands of years of farming knowledge and species/breeds! Glad to see you broaching the subject and hope to see alot more of this type thing in the future…thanks!
Makes me wonder how many other things they are not telling us about that are in our other foods? There are so many lies upon lies coming from our government that you never know what to believe from them. But it sure sounds right up their alley though. Thanks for the info.
Shouldn’t we be drinking human milk, not cow milk? I think this is the bigger issue. Human breast milk is tailored for consumption by the human digestive system. Some cultures around the world are getting it right and drinking breast milk from birth to death. Since this is a survivalist blog, most readers should see the advantages of human breast milk as a survival food.
Of course, the downside is that you need a lactating woman for production and that woman needs significant nutrients and low stress levels to produce milk. However, women in “third world” countries seem to be doing it just fine producing milk in what Americans would call less than healthy environments.
uhhhh……babies drink milk. All other animals in the world STOP drinking milk once they are weaned. What makes us think we need to continue doing it? Of course, milk is AWESOME with a big chunk of chocolate cake, or cookies warm out of the oven, and it’s a great addition in cooking and baking …but it really shouldn’t be a mainstay in our diets. Without milk, we wouldn’t have cheese or butter, and cheese and butter are indeed, nectar of the God’s. So there are advantages to having milk around and in our diets. Howerver, as for your suggestion for drinking human milk, and finding or keeping a lactating woman…..good luck on that one. Women are not livestock, and it’s creepy that you even suggest such a thing.
i never really thought about not drinking milk as an adult. that would make sence…Ive been told by everything in the media, schoools, government etc that we NEED milk, that its the only thing to prevent osteoperosis, that it has the ADDED nutrients we lack due to our indoor lives, that its a vital daily food group. As a childcare provider, the USDA will reimburse us for food ONLY if we serve certain claimable foods. WE *HAVE* TO SERVE ALL KIDS MILK AT EVERY MEAL(snacktime optional) or the entire claim for that meal is thrown out. the only way we can not serve storebought milk to a child in the program, is to receive a Doctor’s note in favor of that.
Also, about girls hitting puberty younger-it does happen ALOT now-as young as 6 or 7 that i know of,& that is NOT an exaggeration. (puberty-not necessarily mentruation, though i do know a girl who was 9) when i was little my parents never made me drink milk, and i hit puberty around 14. 2 friendsof mine grew up around tables where they couldnt be excused until they drank a full glass of milk at each meal and they hit puberty YEARS before me.. Just an observation.
W. Evie: May I add my resounding “YUCK” to match yours.
The idea of stopping milk altogether for drinking and buying organic or at least hormone-free for baking is much better. Calcium is available not only in supplements, but in some cruciferous vegetables and other sources.
The idea of drinking human milk is not only odd, the idea of it kinda makes me queasy.
Good article! We have been purchasing organic milk and milk products for years and even though the foods are more expensive, we are buying safer foods and from small farms. But those days will soon be gone — We pick up our Nubian goats this weekend ! :-)
Great post Jerry G.
Thanks for posting it!
**Hint** Never buy ONE goat. One goat is a sad, forlorn animal. Always buy at least TWO goats, preferably from the same herd. All herd animals do better with a buddy; it’s just thier nature. Imagine yourself stuck in a pen or a pasture all by your lonesome for your entire life. It wouldn’t make for much of a life, would it?
Thanks for that advice. I’ve heard the same about horses.
Glad that you brought this issue up. Personally, I do not drink much milk and usually it is always organic. We should all go to Monsanto’s lands and plant crops that will replace theirs and let them have a taste of their own medicine. What’s good for one is good for all, especially them, right? Why!…those money grubbing bass-turds! I wonder what the entire world did before “them” and “their” hormones. I wonder what they and their children would look like with a big enough dose or two or three or indefinitely of hormones raging throughout their bodies.
I quit drinking milk when I was about 20. Now I just use it to eat cereal.I don`t even use it in coffee unless I am out of creamer.I always thought that it was odd that humans are the only ones who drink milk from a different animal. Steve
I have some questions for everyone:
Name one other animal or organism that consumes another animal’s milk…
Name one other animal that consumes milk outside of infancy or after the first few years of life…
Ever wonder why?
Shameful scare tactics. Have you noticed that our life expectancy increases every year. Most people drink milk or have drunk milk. But we are all living longer. hmmmmm…
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