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RBGH
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'''rBGH''' is the abbreviation for recombinant bovine growth hormone, also referred to as "rBST" or "BST," a genetically-engineered cow growth hormone called "bovine somatotropin." rBGH was developed and is marketed by the large agribusiness company [[Monsanto]], to increase milk production by up to 25 percent.[http://www.global-reality.com/biotech/articles/news045.htm] rBGH is outlawed in Europe and Canada, but has been approved by the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and Australian government agencies. rBGH was actually the first major biotechnology food product approved by the FDA, in 1993.[http://www.organicconsumers.org/rbgh/fda020504.cfm]
rBGH has been linked to [[mad cow disease]], since injecting cows with rBGH results injections result in their cows needing more protein in their diet - the cheapest source of which is slaughterhouse waste - "downer" cows and other animalsat higher risk for disease. As summarized in the book ''[http://www.prwatch.org/books/madcow.html Mad Cow USA]'':
:One activist characterized rBGH as "crack for cows." It forced cows to produce more milk at the price of increased stress on their overall health, exacerbating illnesses such as mastitis, and mining the calcium from their bones. In order to achieve the higher levels of milk production, moreover, cows needed to consume more energy-dense food, adding to the pressure for farmers to use protein adn fat supplements derived from rendered animals - the feeding practice which had created the BSE epidemic in the first place.
