Growth Hormones

[cakadu]

I wasn't sure where to post this question and felt this might be the most appropriate room as you fellows likely know more about it.

A friend of mine (who just happens to be a psychologist and interested in depression) and I were talking about food safety. Here in North America, we have the highest rates of depression compared with anywhere else in the world. We are also eat the most red meat. The theory is that the growth hormone could cause different things to happen in the bodies of adults, which results in sleeplessness which is also a major symptom of depression. In terms of the depression, it is a chicken and egg question - does the sleeplessness cause depression or vice versa.

I am curious to know if there have ever been any research studies done on the effects on humans of the growth hormones given to our food animals? Are there residues present that are consumed by us? They have certainly made the linkages between antibiotic use in feed and the now growing antibiotic resistance in humans. Have there been any long term studies to see how it affects adults versus children?

Curiousity is certainly getting the better of me.

[vkoff]

I would decribe todays high level of depression on society more than food. We live in an instant, no limit,laws to protect guilty,highly taxed, overworked underappreciated, backstabbing, drug dependant, etc. etc.etc.society.The sad part is when we are senior citizens they will be caring for us {scary}

[cowman]

I don't have an answer to this question Linda but I suspect vkoff is probably pretty close to the truth(if a wee bit pessimistic!).
I've always been a little leery of growth hormones after using them for a few years. The way they affect the calves is fairly startling especially the early sexual maturity and increased libido! Hey, maybe we should market our cattle as the new replacement for Viagra!!! Nothing like a good sex life to clean up that old depression!!

[ValueChainFX]

I am far from an expert in this area, but I have followed this issue since as long as I can remember it being an issue. I have read many studies and have talked to many professionals on their thoughts. (underline thoughts) Almost every study that has been produced has told us that growth hormones are safe. Unless you look at the EU studies in which case, the US has fought these saying that the studies are feeding false information and used strictly as a marketing tool.

A couple of things that come to my mind and I must state clearly these are my thoughts and I take no sides in this issue (a fence sitter here, except with my own family then I make my personal choices). Just because a study says the conclusion is a black and white one does not mean that is the way it is. Good examples of this are very clear with the studies of Agent orange, DDT and other such blunders.

We also know that anything introduced into the food chain is then magnified as it moves up the chain.

Most of the Hormones used are already produced in the body. Just kind of an extra boost.

Clinical Depression is a state of mind that the chemicals in the mind are actually out of balance. Other factors around us can stimulate this state of mind and indeed magnify the illness.

Recent studies have indicated that previous studies may not have covered the mind map as completely as they can with the improved technology, yet have stopped short of saying the conclusions were wrong.

So now what are the implications of the use of growth hormones or any other additive that may assist us in developing products.

Well my thoughts are simple. If we do not try to improve the system, we stagnate. If we do work to improve the system then we must also deal with consumer feed back, possible environmental challenges, and the moral issues that crop up when we start to cruise into some of the more controversial areas, such as clones, the utilization of animal organs for human transplants etc. etc.

This may seem far reaching, but to curtail the studies and natural progressions of research is like burning books so the knowledge is not available for future generations to study. (Read something on that once)

So getting back to the issue at hand, you can view the many studies on growth hormones in beef by going to www.google.com and type in ("Growth Hormones") beef and you will see tons of info and studies.

I still think we need to keep up the research, not only on hormones but the many other issues facing the industry today. I also believe we best have a plan "B" in place before they are released to early into an already tired system!

[smcgrath76]

Just another thought to add. I recieved an article in my email the other day about growth hormones and other drugs showing up in the water supply. These are not being caught by the water treament or sewage treament systems in most Canadian towns and cities. While the article does point out that a lot of this pollution is coming from people (eg: flushing old pills down the toilet) it does point out the concern that some may be coming from livestock operations. An animal will not absorb 100% of the hormones it is treated with. Some will be excreted through waste material.
This is another dynamic a lot of producers have not thought about too much, and after the Walkerton situation, it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back so to speak in removing hormones from livestock production.

Just a thought.