Possible approval suspension of Posilac

Possible approval suspension of Posilac



Feb 2007 - Three advocacy 
organizations representing consumers, family farmers, and 
cancer prevention advocates Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration, FDA, asking the agency to withdraw 
its approval for Posilac - Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, 
rBGH. 
The petition requests the immediate suspension of approval of 
Posilac based on "imminent hazard" and placement of cancer 
risk warning labels on all milk produced with the hormone. 
The petitioners claim that scientific evidence shows increased 
risks of cancer, particularly breast, colon, and prostate 
cancer, from the consumption of milk from cows injected with 
Posilac. 
The genetically modified recombinant bovine growth hormone, is 
also known as rBGH, or rbST. Posilac is the trademark for 
Monsanto's rBGH product, registered with the U.S. Patent and 
Trademark Office, and is approved for marketing by the FDA. 
Injection of this hormone forces cows to increase their milk 
production by about 10 percent. Monsanto has stated that about 
one third of U.S. dairy cows are in herds where the hormone is 
used. 
The rBGH milk has high levels of a natural growth factor, 
IGF-1, which is readily absorbed when people drink milk. 
Excess levels of IGF-1 have been indicated as a cause of 
breast, colon, and prostate cancers. 
The petition was submitted on behalf of the Cancer Prevention 
Coalition, Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., chair; the Organic 
Consumers Association, Ronnie Cummins, executive director; and 
Family Farm Defenders, John Kinsman, president. 
Dr. Epstein is the author of the new book "What's in Your 
Milk? An expose of Industry and Government Cover-Up on the 
Dangers of the Genetically Engineered (rBGH) Milk You're 
Drinking."

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