Hold the growth hormones -- in fact, hold the milk

YOUR ARTICLE on Hood and Garelick dairies banning Monsanto's artificial growth hormone POSILAC (rBST or rBGH) contained welcome news for humans and cows alike (``2 dairies to end use of artificial hormones," Page A1, Sept. 25).

Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility has led a campaign for the past three years to discontinue rBST. We wanted to address several statements in the article.

First, we disagree with the FDA's 1993 ruling that rBST is safe. Scientific research conducted since then indicates this drug may be increasing cancer and antibiotic resistance rates in humans. The Codex Alimentarius, the United Nations' main food safety body, concluded there was no consensus rBST is safe.

Second, the statement ``a third of the nation's dairy herd is injected with POSILAC" is inflated. The most recent USDA survey in 2002 estimated a 22 percent usage rate. There has been a nationwide consumer movement since then toward rBST-free products. We estimate the current rate at only 15 percent.

Finally, a large-scale conversion to rBGH-free dairy has already been taking place in the Pacific Northwest. In the past 18 months, five major dairies have prohibited the hormone in all or many of their products.

This is a totally unnecessary drug, causing totally unnecessary harm to cows, and creating totally unnecessary health risks to humans.

RICK NORTH
Project director
Dr. MARTIN DONOHOE
Chief scientific adviser
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
Portland, Ore.

AS A DIETITIAN, I know that advocates of organic milk may think they are making a healthy choice, but drinking cow's milk of any kind is not beneficial for humans.

Organic milk may be free of artificial growth hormones, but it still contains natural hormones that the cow produces in her milk for the calf.

Studies have shown that the naturally occurring animal hormones in milk may boost prostate and ovarian cancer growth in some people.

In addition, milk -- whether organic or not -- contains saturated fat and cholesterol. Diets high in fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of obesity and contribute to the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Children and adults have better options than organic milk for obtaining essential nutrients. Calcium, for example, can be found in soy milk, green leafy vegetables, beans, and many other nutritious foods that don't have the health risks associated with milk.

DULCIE WARD
Staff Dietitian
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Washington, D.C.