Nexus - 0804 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Dr Epstein and others, like Dr William von Meyer, point to what they say is a growing body of scientific evidence of a link between IGF-1 and human cancers, which might not show up for Dr Epstein and others, like Dr William von Meyer, point to Video clip, Monsanto sales tape: Of course you'll want to what they say is a growing body of scientific evidence of a link inject Posilac into every eligible cow, as each cow not treated is a between IGF-1 and human cancers, which might not show up for lost income opportunity. years to come. Narration 7: A number of critics, including at least one state Dr William von Meyer, Research Scientist: We're going to _ agriculture commissioner, have called it "crack for cows" for the save some lives if we review this now. If we allow BGH to go way it speeds up the cow's milk production...but despite its on, I'm sure we're taking excessive risks with society. promise of profit, some dairymen say the product doesn't always Reporters were instructed to edit the first sentence of Dr lead to happy trails for the cows or for those who tend them. von Meyer's quote, and thus deprive the viewer of the full Reporters were repeatedly told this colourful phrase thrust of his true position and meaning: that further scientific [crack for cows"] could not be used in a broadcast on Fox review of this situation could save human lives. Out of proper Channel 13, to avoid needlessly antagonising a possible plain- context, the viewer cannot understand the true possible tiff, Monsanto. Because the quote so accurately describes the importance of further review or that it is, in Dr von Meyer's _ effect of the hormone in a non-scientific way viewers can easi- view, an alternative to taking excessive risks. ly understand, reporters persisted by showing evidence of its use by other responsible newspapers such Narration 5: Dr von Meyer has spent 30 as the Boston Globe, St Louis years studying chemical products and testing Post-Dispatch, Time and 11 other publica- their effects on humans. He's supervised tions. Only after reporters located a many such tests on thousands of animals at report of the statement being made by a schools such as the University of London and As with Dr Epstein, public official was it allowed to be includ- UCLA. He's headed agricultural, chemical reporters were pressured ed. And even then, in a further effort to and genetic research at some of America's discourage broadcast of the phrase, most prestigious companies. His concerns to remove any reference reporters were instructed it could not be about BH hays sparked an inauity by | to Dr von Meyer's ts ules and antl he nov former a know just how BGH was ever approved for qualifications to that the eight-year-old quote was accurate use in this country three years ago [1993], i and that he still felt that way today! while a dozen European countries, Canada question the safety of Reporters located the man, now with the and New Zealand have all blocked the the product, while being use of it there. i As with Dr Epstein, reporters were instructed to report pressured to remove any reference to Monsanto's contention that "the cancer experts Dr von Meyer's qualifications to question the safety of the product, ' don't see the health issue". USDA in Washington, and obtained the required confirmations. Charles Knight, Florida Dairy Farmer: It's a tool that can be used, but you better be careful 'cause it can burn you... Narration 8: Near Wachula, Charles Knight won't use Monsanto's synthetic BGH anymore. He is one of many farmers who say they've watched Posilac burn their cows out sooner, shortening their lives by maybe two while being instructed to report Monsanto's contention that "the can- cer experts don't see the health issue". Reporters were blocked from including the facts that Dr von Meyer has spent 30 years studying chemical products and testing their effects on humans, has supervised many such years. Knight says he had to replace tests on thousands of animals at 75% of his herd due to hoof problems schools such as the University of London and UCLA, and has __and serious udder infections. Those are two of more than 20 headed agricultural, chemical and genetic research at some of _ potential troubles listed right on the product warning label. But America's most prestigious companies. Ultimately, reporters apart from potential suffering for the animals, the major concern were instructed to broadcast a version which reduces the is how the hormone injected into the cow changes the milk that truth about Dr von Meyer to a simple reference to him as a _ends up on our tables. scientist in Wisconsin". Dr Robert Collier: _...this is the most studied molecule cer- tainly in the history of domestic animal science. Monsanto is the giant chemical company which sells the syn- Despite intense scrutiny of every claim made by those thetic hormone under the brand name Posilac...and Monsanto has opposing the Monsanto product, reporters were required to consistently rejected the concerns of scientists around the world. include this and other company claims without documentation Dr Robert Collier, Chief BGH Scientist, Monsanto: Infact, of accuracy. Experts in the field of domestic animal science the FDA has commented several times on this issue after there say this claim is demonstrably false. were concerns raised. They have publicly restated human safety Throughout the process of preparing the various versions of confidence...this is not something knowledgeable people have this report, reporters were repeatedly instructed to include concerns about. unverified and even some outright false statements by Sound: (Calf in pen) Moo! Monsanto's dairy research director, whose doctorate degree is Narration 6: While other companies have dropped by the in dairy research. Among them: wayside, Monsanto has invested a mountain of money into bovine "suffice it to say the cancer experts don't see the health growth hormone. Company sales tapes encourage farmers to use issue..." it as a tool to milk more profits out of every cow. "Posilac is the single most-tested product in history..." years to come. Dr William von Meyer, Research Scientist: We're going to save some lives if we review this now. If we allow BGH to go on, I'm sure we're taking excessive risks with society. Reporters were instructed to edit the first sentence of Dr von Meyer's quote, and thus deprive the viewer of the full thrust of his true position and meaning: that further scientific review of this situation could save human lives. Out of proper context, the viewer cannot understand the true possible importance of further review or that it is, in Dr von Meyer's view, an alternative to taking excessive risks. issue". Monsanto is the giant chemical company which sells the syn- thetic hormone under the brand name Posilac...and Monsanto has consistently rejected the concerns of scientists around the world. Dr Robert Collier, Chief BGH Scientist, Monsanto: In fact, the FDA has commented several times on this issue after there were concerns raised. They have publicly restated human safety confidence...this is not something knowledgeable people have concerns about. Sound: (Calf in pen) Moo! Narration 6: While other companies have dropped by the wayside, Monsanto has invested a mountain of money into bovine growth hormone. Company sales tapes encourage farmers to use it as a tool to milk more profits out of every cow. JUNE — JULY 2001 NEXUS = 23 As with Dr Epstein, www.nexusmagazine.com