i apologize for the lack of rave-relation in this post, but its
pertinence to our culture is certain.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
* ATTENTION * CONSUMERS * ATTENTION * CONSUMERS * ATTENTION * CONSUMERS*
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\//\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Untested, unlabeled, genetically engineered hormones enter dairy goods.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Starting on Feb. 3, 1994, milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt, beef,
and infant formula sold and consumed throughout the United States will
contain genetically engineered recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)
- also know as Bovine Somatotropin (BST). Recently, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of rBGH in dairy cows without
long-term testing of the hormone's health effects on the consumer.
What is it?
^^^^^^^^^^^
rBGH is a drug which acts to "rev up" the cows system, forcing them to
produce a higher output of milk, but in the process makes them sick.
The FDA and Monsanto Chemical (the giant chemical conglomerate that
won the FDA approval) admit that the cows injected with rBGH suffer
from increased udder infections (mastitis) and greater stress and
disease. A multitude of health concerns are currently being debated
on both sides of this issue and we welcome you to research and decide
about them individually.
Why do we need this in our dairy system?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The simple answer is, WE DON'T. American dairy farmers already produce
such a massive surplus of milk and cheese that taxpayers spend billions
to buy up the excess. The use of rBGH to create an even greater milk
surplus will cost the American taxpayer additional billions in dairy
price supports. This overproduction of milk caused by rBGH will force
30 percent of American dairy farmers out of business within 36 months
of its introduction to the market. For each dairy farmer driven out of
business, 25 other dairy-related jobs will also be lost.
So why has the FDA approved the use of this drug?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's happened because chemical and pharmaceutical giants like Monsanto,
Eli Lilly, American Cyanamid, and Upjohn have invested hundreds of
millions of dollars developing a product that has absolutely no consumer
benefit, and is potentially dangerous, BUT WILL EARN THEM BILLIONS. The
risks associated with rBGH use has led the European Economic (EC) to
make a preliminary decision to ban the use of rBGH until after the year
2000.
How do we know what we are eating?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You won't be able to avoid eating rBGH contaminated foods because the
FDA refuses to require labeling of rBGH-derived foods. The FDA decision
is an outrage considering that, according to recent surveys, more than
90 percent of consumers favor labeling of rBGH products so they can avoid
buying them.
How can we overcome this situation?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A MASSIVE CONSUMER BOYCOTT is our only hope for defeat of this product
as well as the thousands of other harmful genetically engineered foods
to come.
The Vegetarian Awareness Committee of the State University of New York
at Plattsburgh has utilized the following petition arranged by the Pure
Food Campaign and will forward it to all the major dairy producers in the
country. If you would like your name added to this petition, please send
a message to the following address with "I OPPOSE rBGH", your full name,
and zip code as whole body of the message. We the people can work further
on-line.
PICK1731@SPLAVA.CC.PLATTSBURGH.EDU
or
PICK1731@SNYPLAVA.BITNET
Where can you get more information?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All information listed here has been supplied by the Pure Food Campaign,
a project of the Foundation on Economic Trends, 1130 17th St., N.W.,
Suite 300, Washington, D.C., 20036 (1-800-451-7670).
For a partial listing of producers, distributors, brand name companies,
and supermarket chains that are free of synthetic rBGH please send a
separate message to PICK1731@SPLAVA.CC.PLATTSBURGH.EDU with "rBGH-FREE
LIST" as the body of the message.
--> PLEASE FORWARD THIS DOCUMENT TO ANY AND ALL PEOPLE YOU FEEL WOULD BE
--> INTERESTED AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO DELETE PREVIOUS HEADERS IN ORDER TO
--> KEEP THE FORWARDED MESSAGE IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM.
***************************************************************************
Referenced
Vendor
Address
Dear Dairy Vendor/Manufacturer/Seller:
We the undersigned, pledge to boycott foods contaminated with "recomb-
inant Bovine Growth Hormone" (rBGH), and other genetically engineered
food products.
We demand that all milk, dairy, and beef products be clearly labeled as
to whether or not they are derived from cows injected with synthetic
genetically engineered hormones.
We will refuse to purchase milk, dairy, or beef products that do not
bear a label stating that they are rBGH free.
We will patronize only those dairy and beef producers who have pledged,
in a written affidavit, to remain completely rBGH-free.
Signatures
<^> | michael j. pickering \/
6 4 1 | pick1731@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu <@@>
^^^ | aeiou.&.sometimes.y ...00