Online resource of factual information about recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). rbSTFacts.org provides access to hundreds of documents focusing on the manufacture, use and impact of this dairy-production technology. These documents include reports, studies and findings from scientific and academic institutions and government and regulatory agencies, as well as news media reports and commentary from qualified scientific and professional authorities.

A hormone used to increase milk yield in cows - recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) - is proving to be one of the most controversial drugs of the decade. Since the 1980s there have been fears over the safety of milk from rbST-treated cows, and last year, a leaked internal report by Health Canada scientists identified numerous gaps in the safety data on human and animal safety. Last week, Health Canada announced that, unlike many other agencies, it would not approve the drug. US consumer groups now want the drug withdrawn.

The effects of bST treatment of cows in relation to human health and animal health have been re-evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in USA, and have been evaluated by independent assessments for the Canadian authorities, by Codex Alimentarius and by scientific committees of the European Union. The US and Canadian assessments both concluded that products from bST-treated cows present no hazard to human health, and this is supported by the Codex assessment. However, the EU assessment is inconclusive, while drawing attention to potential hazards requiring more research. The US reassessment reaffirmed that bST treatment is not harmful to animal health, but both the Canadian and EU assessments concluded that it is harmful to animal health.