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Biotech / Medical : Monsanto Co.
MTC 2.7800.0%Jan 23 9:30 AM EST
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To: Dan Spillane who wrote (1788)3/23/1999 9:49:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong  Read Replies (1) of 2539
 
03/23 06:05 EU says U.S. hormone for cows may be risk to humans

BRUSSELS, March 23 (Reuters) - A European Commission official
on Tuesday said a European Union scientific committee had found
evidence which suggested that a hormone which boosts milk
production in dairy cows may pose a risk to human health. The use
and marketing of the hormone - called bovine somatotrophin (BST) -
is already prohibited in the 15-nation bloc, although the five-year ban
was set to expire at the end of this year, Commission spokesman
Pietro Petrucci told Reuters.

EU officials on Tuesday said the Commission would probably extend
the present moratorium or impose a brand new ban.

The hormone is produced by Monsanto Co. <MTC.N> of the United
States and is designed to boost a cow's milk output by as much as
15 percent. The U.S. government cleared the growth hormone for use
on dairy cows some six years ago.

But EU scientists have come to the conclusion that BST increases the
quantity of "Insuline Growth Factor 1" (IGF-I) in milk which recent
studies have indicated "is associated with an increased relative risk
of breast and prostate cancer," the Commission said in a statement
released on Monday.

"Further research to specify the role of IGF-1 in cancer development
is needed," it said. Potential secondary risks were also attached to
the use of BST such as "an increase in allergic reactions and an
increased use of antimicrobial substances," the Commission said.

EU scientists who have already advised against using the hormone
on animal welfare grounds have drawn up a report into the possible
link between the use of BST and cancer that will shortly be available
on the Internet, it said.

But last week's shock resignation of the European Commission
means the present caretaker commission will not treat the matter as
urgent business and will probably leave a decision to its successor,
Petrucci said.
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