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March 29 2008

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A Fake Group Fights for Monsanto's Right to Deceive You

milk, rBGH, artificial growth hormones, milk labelsThe American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology, or Afact, calls itself a “grass-roots organization” that came together to defend their right to use the artificial growth hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin, also known as rBST or rBGH, in their milk production.

What they do not tell you is that Afact is not only an organization of dairy farmers. The group actually has close ties to Monsanto, the makers of rBGH, which is marketed under the brand name Posilac.

Monsanto and a Colorado consultant that lists Monsanto as a client helped to organize Afact. The group has also worked with marketing firm Osborn & Barr, whose founders include a former Monsanto executive.

As a growing number of consumers are choosing to buy milk that does not contain artificial growth hormones, Afact has started a counteroffensive to stop milk labels from being allowed to say they contain “no artificial growth hormone.”

Cows treated with Posilac produce about one gallon more per day than untreated cows. Certain farmers want to keep using the hormone to boost their profits, while many consumers wonder about the potential health risks to humans and cows.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared that Posilac is safe, but many other countries have refused to approve it.

Sources:

  New York Times March 9, 2008


Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Afact appears to be Monsanto’s last-ditch attempt to keep their rBGH profits growing, even as increasing numbers of U.S. dairies, and consumers, choose to avoid milk treated with hormones like the plague.

Their way of going about this is being done in typical Monsanto style: deceitfully.

Monsanto’s “cover” group is now fighting for the right to keep YOU in the dark about what’s in the food you eat. They want labels that say milk is “rBGh-free” or “rBST-free” to be banned, so that you cannot choose to boycott their artificial hormones.

The FDA, of course, is known to be in bed with major corporations like Monsanto, which may be why the United States has allowed the use of rBGH since 1993, while other countries, including Canada and the European Union, turned it down.

Why Might You be Concerned About rBGH in Your Milk?

Now, I am not a fan of pasteurized milk of any kind, whether or not it contains rBGH, but that does not preclude the fact that this hormone may very well be dangerous. Consider this statement by Michael Hansen, Ph.D., a senior scientist with Consumers Union:

“Consumers may have a number of reasons why they want to know whether milk comes from cows that were treated with rbGH. Some consumers may be concerned with the various animal health problems (increases in mastitis [visibly abnormal milk], various reproductive problems, laminitis, injection site reaction, etc.) caused by the drug and may not want the cow to suffer needlessly. Indeed, Canada and the European Union turned down rbGH for approval on the grounds that it was not safe for animals.

Others may be concerned about the unanswered human health questions, which primarily revolve around potential for increased milk levels of antibiotic residues and of insulin like growth factor 1, which has been linked to numerous cancers.

Yet others may want to support small, family farm operations. According to 2007 US Department of Agriculture figures, some 9.1% of small farms—those with less than 100 cows—use POSILAC, while some 42.7% of the large farms—those with more than 500 cows—use it. Thus, rbGH is used more than 4.5 times more frequently by large farmers than small farmers.”

rBGH Milk is Genetically Modified

Not surprisingly, considering that Monsanto is at the forefront of the genetically modified food industry, rBGH milk is actually genetically modified milk. It is not always perceived as such, yet, the reality remains.

Increased IGF-1 levels are not the only concern when it comes to "genetically modified" milk, says Samuel Epstein, MD, a scientist at the University of Illinois School of Public Health who is one of the top expert's on cancer prevention. He is also the author of one of the best books on the topic, Got (Genetically Engineered) Milk?

"This milk is qualitatively and quantitatively different from natural milk," states Dr. Epstein. "In addition to the issue of increased IGF-1 levels, these differences include:
  • Contamination of milk by the GM hormone rBGH
  • Contamination by pus and antibiotics resulting from the high incidence of mastitis in rBGH injected cows
  • Contamination with illegal antibiotics and drugs used to treat mastitis and other rBGH-induced disease
  • Increased concentration of the thyroid hormone enzyme thyroxin-5'-monodeiodinase
  • Increased concentration of long chain and decreased concentration of short chain fatty acids
  • A reduction in levels of the milk protein casein"
Well, the numerous concerns surrounding rBGH have not been kept a secret. I posted an article back in 2002 that found the major reason that rBGH was still on the market was that it was not labeled.

So food manufacturers took matters into their own hands, and, since milk was not labeled as being “with rBGH,” began to advertise if their milk did NOT contain it. Some dairy analysts, according to the New York Times article above, now believe that soon nearly all of the milk supply will come from untreated cows.

And do you think that this makes Monsanto a little hot under the collar? Of course, and their “answer” is Afact.

This is a Bigger Issue Than Just rBGH

The moral of this story is not only about the risks of rBGH, it’s about the risks of a society that allows a corrupt company like Monsanto to exist.

I came across this quote from Dr. Robert Hare from the film The Corporation, and it really sums up the issue quite nicely:

"There are some corporations that clearly are operating at a level that are disastrous for the general public … And in fact I suppose one could argue that in many respects a corporation of that sort is the prototypical psychopath, at the corporate level instead of the individual level."

Monsanto is one such company, and if you have any doubt about their intention to put profits ahead of human existence, consider that this is the same corporation that produced Agent Orange, PCBs, and genetically modified terminator seeds that are threatening the future of your food supply.

Monsanto is the poster child for manipulation and corporate greed, so please, forward this article on to your circle of influence, and make the choice to boycott any product that this unethical company is associated with.


Related Links:

  The Sordid History of Monsanto Poisoning Your Milk

  Monsanto Attacks "Hormone-Free" Milk Labels

  Monsanto Pushes Hormones on School Kids in Their Milk




Comment on This Article
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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Monsanto is another example of if I were to print how I really feel about them, it would have to be removed for violating terms of use.

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
As a CO resident, I'm curious what town this Miller guy is based out of.  There is a strong environmental & organic community here, and it would be interesting to really expose this guy.

I just googled him.  Here's what I've found so far:  Monty G. Miller is the principal in a consulting firm located in Estes Park, Colorado, called "International Performance Solutions."

Any ideas on how to run this guy out of my beautiful state?

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Here's Monty G. Miller's email address:  monty@ipsltd.info

I wonder if reason could win over greed with this guy.  If enough people tell him they want clear labeling on milk (and other products), and that labeling does not imply that the milk is defective, it simply states a fact, and that the market should let this one play out, would he listen?  Would the rest of Monsanto listen? 

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Absolutely in accordance, EQ!

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Posted On Mar 29, 2008

Same here!

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Posted On Mar 30, 2008

Just look at the shameless way Monsanto tries to defend their product line: www.monsanto.com/.../technical_safety.asp

I buy raw milk, cream and cage free eggs, but I realize not everyone can.  That's a real shame.  But an even bigger and worse shame is the people who are so uninformed as to buy soy milk and other soy products.  It's just sickening to me.  Thing is, they think they're doing something good for their families. We all need to work at getting the word out about legalizing the sale of raw milk (in whatever states it's illegal in now) and also to get the word out about the awful consequences of eating anything soy that isn't fermented. Writing to your congressmen/women doesn't seem to be the answer, so other than continuing to pass the word, there isn't much the public can do, successfully. So....pass the word to everyone you know, via internet, phone, letters or through the dying art of plain old conversation. (=>

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Posted On Apr 01, 2008

This just came in my email the other day. Ohio is fighting for the right to allow labeling on milk....

Thank you for contacting my office with your opinion on the proposed

milk labeling laws in Ohio. These rules were proposed by the Ohio

Department of Agriculture for the purpose of preventing the mislabeling

of dairy products. The ODA states that there is currently no way to

scientifically prove the absence of certain hormones and chemicals such

as rbGH, rbST and bST in milk. These rules are in place to require that

all dairy product labels are able to substantiate their claims by

scientific testing. Again, thank you for sharing your opinion with me.

If I can be of any help to you in the future please feel free to contact

my office.

John M. Schlichter

State Representative

85Th House District

So I guess it's impossible to say that product is free from anything if it can't be tested to show it was in there in the first place. Scary. So if you sell something is 100% true to nature the way it was meant to be you can't label it unless you can find a way to detect the garbage that is added to that food by some other company.

Schlichter comes from a large farming family in Fayette county. I assume they know Monsanto and their products very well.

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Posted On Apr 07, 2008

eqhealth07, the only emotion that can trump greed, is FEAR. If a person is caught in the web of greed, reason and love are not even in their vocabulary anymore.

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Posted On Mar 11, 2008
This is an excellent article.  Consumers deserve the truth in labeling!  I think that sites like Mercola.com must be making a difference.  Let's keep up the good work and vote with our dollars in the marketplace!

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Posted On Mar 11, 2008
Since I do not drink milk of any type this is still interesting.  It shows how far companies are willing to go to push their product on the unsuspecting consumer.  If it is so good, why does not Monsanto Label their milk as containing rBGH, so it will make the non-hormone containing milk look inferior.
Mary

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Mary, I agree!  If the additives are harmless, why is there the coverup?  Why not just boldly place it all on the label proudly proclaiming the favor they've done us by adding these important drugs and hormones to the milk?
Carol

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Isn't it interesting (frightening) that many of the talked about issues on V V  (such as aspartame, GMO, toxic environment) originate from this company?

Personally, I would make sure that I wouldn't invest in them...

www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/ for more interesting reading...

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Another possibility, though probably impossible to acheive, would be for enough like minded people to buy enough shares in Monsanto to take over the company and turn it around.

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Posted On Mar 13, 2008
RE: Aaltrude.....

No!  Can't happen!  I foresee this company being hit with litigation, and class actions when people realize what this company has done to people's health and the environment. BAD investment (but I agree with the spirit of your post!)

The directors of this company have a lot to answer for...

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Posted On Mar 13, 2008
I agree ZPE, that your scenario is a much more likely possibility.

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Posted On Mar 29, 2008

thanks for the heads up on this one!


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Posted On Mar 11, 2008
It's not enough to say, "Tsk, tsk." We all need to be alert for proposed legislation in our own states, and be prepared to nip it in the bud. A surge of consumer protests to the governor of Pennsylvania stopped the progress of this legislation there. When your turn comes, let your voice be heard. Power to the people!

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Posted On Mar 12, 2008
Her in Ohio, the Gov. has disallowed the labeling of milk that contains the growth hormones unless it has been also labled by the fda. Wonderful!

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