Whole Milk and Meat is no Good for Children - Research Paper Example

? Whole Milk and Meat not Good for Children - The paper provides an in depth analysis on various effects of consumption of milk and its correlation with the development of cancer. In addition, the paper provides extensive information on the harmful effects of consumption of meat containing residues of steroid growth hormones, ionophores, and antibiotics. The paper throws light on the growing concern of antibiotic resistance as a result of excessive utilization of antibiotics in cattle. The harmful effects of Recombinant bovine Growth Hormone coupled with information on what should be done be tackle the prevalent situation has also been incorporated within the body of the paper. Lastly, the text provides a discussion on the use of artificial hormones and their contribution in the development of various health concerns. Key words: Recombinant bovine growth hormones, antibiotics, inorganic milk, cancer, early onset puberty, FDA Whole Milk and Meat not Good for Children Introduction: Milk has always been attributed as a powerhouse of many nutritional ingredients that are essential for bone growth and other body developments. Human beings are mammals and therefore have a unique relationship with milk as it is the first source of nourishment for them after birth. Mainly due to this reason, it is always assumed that milk has only beneficial impact on health. However, this assumption is far from being true. In fact in the present scenario when dairy milk and their products have become a global business many harmful components can be identified not only in the milk but also in the cattle meat. Most of these components are genetically engineered hormones that are injected to obtain increase milk production. Some of these hormones are also responsible for the rapid growth of cows that are raised to be slaughtered for beef. Therefore, these measures are taken to increase productivity that ultimately increases the profit. But it has raised considerable question marks regarding consumer’s health. Recombinant bovine Growth Hormone (rbGH) The commercial sale of milk from rbGH treated cows was approved in 1993 by FDA. Recombinant bovine Growth Hormone (rbGH) is a genetically engineered artificial hormone that was aimed to stimulate milk production in cows. It is legally sold in all 50 states of US under the famous brand name of Posilac, manufactured by Monsanto. It is estimated that about 13000 farmers use this hormone to obtain excess profit from milk industry. But there are major health concerns associated with this particular milk. Although, this hormone does not directly contaminate the milk, it is associated with increase production of Insulin like Growth Factor (IGF-1) in cows. From the studies it is evident that high concentration of this IGF-1 is present in the milk produced by these rbGH treated cows. IGF-1 is a potent carcinogen with anti apoptotic properties. Studies have shown that IGF-1 contributes in the development of many cancers such as breast, prostate, colon and bladder cancer. (Malawa 2002). FDA Approval Despite this possible association of milk, derived from rbGH induced cows, with many cancers the approval from FDA is very shady. Many reasons have been given by the drug authorities to justify their approval. They pounder over the fact that the hormone is directly not present in the milk. Secondly, according to the FDA Insulin like Growth Factors (IGF-1) is not absorbed orally. This has been concluded on the basis of the research carried by the same pharmaceutical companies, Monsanto and Elanco, who are leading manufacturers of this hormone in the commercial market. The research was conducted on rat models for a very short period of 2-4 weeks. Moreover, they did not access the contribution of IGF-1 in the milk and cancer development. A more in depth research is required in this regard as it is a very serious issue that needs proper investigation. (Malawa 2002). Mastitis in rbGH Treated Cows Most of the animals used for the production of milk and related products are also at risk of acquiring different infections. Antibiotics are often used to ensure health of these animals. But these antibiotics can be carried in the milk and distributed to the consumers. Cows treated with rbGH for the purpose of increase milk productivity have also shown increase incidence of mastitis, inflammation of the udder. This has raised additional concerns over the use of artificially modified milk. Due to increase incidence of mastitis, the use of antibiotics has also increased among these animals elevating the risk of it being carried in the milk. What can be the possible effect of ingesting milk that contains antibiotics? This is a question that can arise in many minds. First of all, the dose of antibiotics given to animals is very high and ingestion of such concentration of any antibiotic can result in side effects. (O'Brien 2000). Moreover, most of the regulating authorities do not have appropriate testing technique to quantify the concentration of antibiotics in any milk sample. Antibiotics and Growth Hormones in Beef The use of synthetic growth and reproductive hormones in beef and dairy animals is an area of consumer concern due to health concerns such as the early onset of menstrual cycle in girls and development of breasts in boys. Steroid growth hormone and ionophores are among the most extensively used drug products in beef industry. The residues of ionophores and steroid growth hormones in meat cause harmful effects in humans upon consumption. (European Commission). Most cattle farms have crowded conditions which provide breeding grounds for chronic livestock diseases and catastrophic epidemics. In order to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, farmers regularly add antibiotics in livestock feed. The types of drugs used to treat human bacterial infections closely resemble the antibiotics administered to cattle, therefore the residues of these drugs in meat lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. Most Americans get constant low dose of antibiotic residues because significant amounts of agricultural antibiotics have been detected in mass produced meats in supermarket. Overexposure to antibiotics accelerates the development of resistance to antibiotics which undermine the effectiveness of drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections. Health experts are concerned over the fact that excessive presence of antibiotics in meat can render them ineffective. The continued use of antibiotics in cattle will eventually lead to the development of increased vulnerability in humans to bacterial infections. The presence of pathogens in antibiotic fed animals which resist numerous wonder drugs have made matters worse. Therefore, the critical defenses against human diseases have been disarmed by the administration of excessive antibiotics in cattle. (Wilshire et al 2008). What can be done? To begin with, it is important to discourage those farmers from using this hormone for making some extra money at the cost of their consumer’s health. This can be achieved by avoiding purchase of this milk from such farms. Promoting awareness about the harmful effects of this hormone among farmers and local consumer can greatly help in reducing its use. Use of hormone is not only harmful for humans but it can also malnourish the cows as they are forced to produce excess milk. Therefore, they become more susceptible to diseases. Such information can raise health awareness among people and will encourage them to buy USDA certified organic products that are free of these artificial hormones. (Kiesel et al 2007). Discussion The use of artificial hormones for escalating the growth of cattle and increasing the milk productivity has become a common practice in the past few decades. (Kenner 2009). Genetically engineered drugs have revolutionized the dairy and meat industry but have raised many health concerns over their use in the United States. Under the present scenario, it seems as if FDA has failed in regulating the inorganic meat and milk industry and eliminating its associated side effects. The approval of rbGH without proper research and evidence is an example of failure on the part of FDA. Milk is one of the commonly used food product and most of the consumers are children of very young age. Therefore, the responsibility of regulating authorities is greater in this context. The possible side effects are not mild GIT symptoms but cancers with very high mortality rate. The risk of introducing such hormones greatly outweighs the benefits of increase productivity. The presence of excess hormones in the red meat or other related products have also resulted in early onset of puberty and menstruation in the present generation. Organic and inorganic milk both pass through regular screening protocols such as pasteurization and fortification. Therefore, the nutritional contents do not vary much in organic or inorganic milk. The earlier review of different research and articles, however, outline possible effects of inorganic milk and related products. So a common sense would suggest buying organic meat and dairy products. But awareness regarding the advantages and disadvantaged of using inorganic products is required to promote such practice. Conclusion: The above mentioned harmful effects of Recombinant bovine Growth Hormone and the consumption of meat containing residues of drugs justify the statement that the consumption of cattle products is no longer safe. Public health authorities are concerned over the rising number of children with health problems such as early onset of puberty and increased vulnerability to bacterial infections. The consumption of meat containing residues of antibiotics, steroid growth hormones, and ionophores has been credited with the development of diverse health issues in children as well as adults. The most dangerous of these health concerns is the development of resistance to wonder drugs which has inevitably disarmed humans by crippling critical defenses against bacterial infections. The increased vulnerability to bacterial infections among children and adults mirrors the failure of the government in controlling the utilization of drugs in cattle. Reference: Malawa, Zea. (2002). The Cancer Cow: A study of the risks associated with milk from rbGH treated cows. (Nutrition Bytes.) eScholarship, University of California. European Commission,consumer policy and consumer health protection directorate general. (n.d.). Assessment of potential risks to human health from hormone residues in bovine meat and meat products. (European Commission.) European Commission. Kiesel, K., & Villas-Boas, S. B. (April 16, 2007). Got Organic Milk? Consumer Valuations of Milk Labels after the Implementation of the USDA Organic Seal. Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, 5, 1.) O'Brien, M., & Environmental Research Foundation (Annapolis, Md.). (2000). Making better environmental decisions: An alternative to risk assessment. Cambridge: MIT Press. Wilshire, H. G., Nielson, J. E., & Hazlett, R. W. (2008). The American West at risk: Science, myths, and politics of land abuse and recovery. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kenner, R., Pearce, R., Schlosser, E., Robledo, M., Pohlad, W., Skoll, J., Schorr, R., ... Magnolia Home Entertainment (Firm). (2009). Food, Inc. Los Angeles, CA: Magnolia Home Entertainment. Read More