Bovine Growth Hormone
Daniel Cliby
MicroBio
Bovine Growth Hormone
Controversy is abundant when dealing with the production of milk, ranging from the actual nutritional value of todays milk and the sheer way that milk goes from the farmer to the counter. Since dairy production is such an important piece of Americas past, many farms heavily rely on the production, making it a hot topic for farmers who are trying to maximize overall profits. Therefor, with todays DNA technology, dairy farmers and scientists have teamed up and genes are being manipulated in cows to help maximize the process of producing milk, but many skeptics are choosing organic and almond milks over the cheapest solution. A specific example is the manipulation of the bovine growth hormone (bGH). The bovine growth hormone naturally exist with in a cows pituitary gland, it is a protein molecule consisting of 191 specific amino acids. Recombinant DNA technology has been introduced to the gene and the gene is spliced and multiplied through the bacterial host, Escherichia coli. The science has not been perfected but researchers know that once the bGH is injected into the cows bloodstream the receptors become activated that stimulate lactation. Trials have seen a 10% -20% increase in milk production with cows injected with bGH (M. Du Pois). While some scientists argue that milk from a cow that has been injected with bGH holds the same nutritional value as milk from a normal cow, other scientists argue that milk from a bGH cow contain a higher level of a cancer tumor promoter named IGF-1. Despite the raw evidence of IGF-1 existing, the FDA still feels no need to label products in the US or ban the injection of bGH into dairy cattle (W. Stollzenburg). Canada and European Nations have outlawed the use of the hormone. While the effect of the tainted milk on humans still seems to be a mystery the effect of the hormone on the cow is very cut and dry (M. Du Pois). Cows found in commercial Wisconsin dairy farms had
MicroBio
Bovine Growth Hormone
Controversy is abundant when dealing with the production of milk, ranging from the actual nutritional value of todays milk and the sheer way that milk goes from the farmer to the counter. Since dairy production is such an important piece of Americas past, many farms heavily rely on the production, making it a hot topic for farmers who are trying to maximize overall profits. Therefor, with todays DNA technology, dairy farmers and scientists have teamed up and genes are being manipulated in cows to help maximize the process of producing milk, but many skeptics are choosing organic and almond milks over the cheapest solution. A specific example is the manipulation of the bovine growth hormone (bGH). The bovine growth hormone naturally exist with in a cows pituitary gland, it is a protein molecule consisting of 191 specific amino acids. Recombinant DNA technology has been introduced to the gene and the gene is spliced and multiplied through the bacterial host, Escherichia coli. The science has not been perfected but researchers know that once the bGH is injected into the cows bloodstream the receptors become activated that stimulate lactation. Trials have seen a 10% -20% increase in milk production with cows injected with bGH (M. Du Pois). While some scientists argue that milk from a cow that has been injected with bGH holds the same nutritional value as milk from a normal cow, other scientists argue that milk from a bGH cow contain a higher level of a cancer tumor promoter named IGF-1. Despite the raw evidence of IGF-1 existing, the FDA still feels no need to label products in the US or ban the injection of bGH into dairy cattle (W. Stollzenburg). Canada and European Nations have outlawed the use of the hormone. While the effect of the tainted milk on humans still seems to be a mystery the effect of the hormone on the cow is very cut and dry (M. Du Pois). Cows found in commercial Wisconsin dairy farms had
Cited: Du Pois, Melanie E. "Biotechnology and the Small Farm." EBSCO. N.p., 2002. Web. 16 Mar. 2013. . Lipschutz-Robinson, Shirley. "Genetically Engineered Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH/BST) in Your Milk." Online Posting. Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) in Milk Threatens Our Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2013. . Stollzenburg, William. "Hormone Boosted Milk Passes FDA Review." Academic Search Complete. EBSCO, 25 Aug. 1990. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. .