Bovine Somatotropin (BST) By: Dalton Anderson, Rafe Hagee, and Nicholas Sink

What is BST? Bovine somatotropin (BST) is also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and Posilac. BST is an drug used in dairy cows to increase their milk production. It is based on a protein hormone that occurs naturally in the cattle and is necessary for normal growth and development. Through biotechnology, BST became economically possible to produce in mass in the 1980s. The FDA then approved in in 1993 after it was determined that it was safe and effective to use (Food and Drug Administration, 2014).

How is it used? For BST to properly affect the cows milk production, it must be injected into the cow on a regular basis. It can not be feed to them because it wont properly break down in the cows body. Once the BST is injected, the milk production is greatly increased. The BST increases the blood flow to the mammary gland in the cow. This carries the necessary increase in nutrients required to produce more milk (Iowa State University, 1993).

Ethical Concerns How will it affect the cows? How will it affect the consumers? How will it affect the environment? How will it affect the economy? Will it turn us into mutant cow beings that want to eat brains?

Effects on Cows 25% Increase in Mastitis development, which is inflammation of the mammary gland often caused by bacteria. Infected cattle produce less milk Antibiotics are used to treat this condition and can cause bacteria to mutate in response to the treatment 40% increase in reproductive damage 55% increase in clinical lameness (Dohoo, et al., 2003)

Effects on People No known adverse effects on humans as reported by the FDA The presence of IGF – 1 in the milk of dairy cattle is a common concern but, “before approving the use of rBGH in 1993, the FDA calculated a worst case scenario based on an infant drinking 1.5 liters (1.6 quarts) of milk daily, with complete absorption of intact IGF-1 protein and the maximum increase in IGF-1. Under these conditions, milk from rBGH-treated cows would contribute far less than 1% of the infant's normal daily production of IGF-1” (American Cancer Society, 2014).

Arguments for the use of BST Increased milk production/ decreased price of milk FDA approved Market opening for “Organic” (Non BST-treated) milk BST is already in normal milk Gives an advantage in milk production to small farms

Arguments against the use of BST Made by Monsanto BST injected cattle require more feed Oversupply of milk Increased risk for small farms to have financial trouble FDA credibility questioned due to the studies used to approve BST

Bibliography American Cancer Society. (2014, September 10). Recombinant Bovine Growth Horomone. Retrieved May 6, 2015 DairyCo. (n.d.). MASTITIS IN DAIRY COWS. (A. &. BOARD, Producer) Retrieved May 6, 2015 Dohoo, I. R., DesCoteaux, L., Leslie, K., Freeden, A., Shewfelt, W., Preston, A., & Dowling, P. (2003, Oct.). A meta- analysis review of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 254-264. Food and Drug Administration. (2014, July 28). Bovine Somatotropin. Retrieved May 6, 2015, from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Iowa State University. (1993, December ). BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN (bST). Biotechnology Information Series, (Bio-3). Schutz, M., & Kenyon, S. (n.d.). BST in Milk. Animal Issues: Briefing. Retrieved May 6, 2015