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picture of the adequacy of the testing done before the substance entered their family's milk supply. "He [Dr von Meyer] has no credentials in human safety evaluation." At the same time, a markedly different standard—actual proof of each and every claim—was applied to statements, even expressions of opinion, made by Monsanto critics. If the higher, tougher standard of verification of their statements and opinions was not met, quotes critical of the product were ordered deleted from the report. Reporters were also required to exhaustively research the backgrounds of those raising questions about the Monsanto product, while no similar efforts were required to ascertain the expertise of Monsanto company experts, who reporters know to have fewer credentials than some critics. pas re enn we re ney He - + proof of each and every claim—was applied to statements, Dr William von Meyer: A human drug requires two years of even expressions of opinion, made by Monsanto critics. If the carcinogenic testing and extensive birth defect testing. BGH was higher, tougher standard of verification of their statements tested for 90 days on 30 rats at any dose before it was approved. and opinions was not met, quotes critical of the product were Dr Robert Collier: But suffice it to say the cancer experts ordered deleted from the report. don't see the health issue, and it's unfortunate the public is being Reporters were also required to exhaustively research the scared by an issue that shouldn't be of concern. backgrounds of those raising questions about the Monsanto Reporters were instructed to include this claim without con- product, while no similar efforts were required to ascertain tradiction, despite the knowledge by all that it is flatly, the expertise of Monsanto company experts, who reporters demonstrably false. A number of experts in the cancer field— know to have fewer credentials than some critics. including two who appear in this very report—and countless others who have acted to prevent the product from being sold Narration 9: While that claim may be open to dispute, the in at least 17 other countries obviously do see the health issue. Monsanto product did put the product through a decade's worth of | Presenting this mis-statement as fact, without pointing to testing before it was approved by the FDA's Center for Veterinary | known facts which contradict the statement, is an obvious and Medicine as an animal drug. But that's part serious distortion of the truth. of the problem, according to many scientists who say that since BGH alters the milk we Narration 10: Monsanto's dairy drink, it should meet the higher safety stan- research director points to what the FDA dards required of human drugs. The critics has repeatedly said since the day it say tests on BGH milk that could have approved BGH back in 1993: "The public answered these concerns about long-term can be confident that milk and meat from risk to humans were just never done. BGH-treated cows is safe to consume." Whether there is in fact anything dif- Reporters were told not Nonetheless, influential food safety offi- ferent about a glass of milk you drink to report these blanket cials from around the world remain uncon- from a BGH-treated cow is at the heart of government assurances vinced. human health concerns about the prod- S Reporters were told not to report these uct. The reporters' research uncovered in the context that they blanket government assurances in the several studies, including one frequently H H context that they are based primarily on cited by Monsanto, which indicate that are based primarily Monsanto company studies which never the milk is indeed different. Several on Monsanto company looked at potential chronic, long- have shown that levels of the sus- pected cancer link IGF-1 are signifi- cantly higher in milk from treated cows—up to 20 times higher, according to one study. Other stud- ies confirm higher antibiotic levels in the milk, as farmers inject cows with more drugs to fight BGH- caused infections. Fox directed reporters to "neu- tralise" these key facts by reporting that studies show the milk is 'affect- ed", as opposed to "altered". Deliberately failing to explain that an important United Nations commit- the "effect" includes a markedly tee again blocked efforts to give a vir- increased level of a known cancer promoter seriously slants tual green light to selling the drug around the world. For the sec- term human health effects. During a May 27 phone conference, counsel told reporters: ''I want you to do exactly as I said. The FDA review says it's safe for humans. I just want a statement. That's what I want for balance." In fact, whatever counsel's stated motivation, viewers are seriously misled when such claims are pre- sented outside the context of impor- tant related facts. Just last summer, the members of studies which never looked at potential chronic, long-term human health effects. this story and misleads the viewer. ond time in two years, the committee decided synthetic BGH Reporters were not allowed to explore the potential inade- needs more study. quacy of BGH testing on the grounds the FDA has already Reporter Jane Akre stand-up: So just how many dairy cows approved it as safe. "Are you [reporters] an expert on the in Florida are being injected with this synthetic hormone? No one way to test drugs?" counsel asked. "Is [BGH critic Dr knows for sure, but it's enough to virtually assure that at least William] von Meyer right and the FDA wrong?" Even after —_ some of the milk in every jug you bring home from the supermar- reporters provided textbook documentation that animal test- _ket these days comes from treated cows. ing should last two full years to assure human safety from Clip of consumer protestors chanting: No more BGH, no long-term carcinogenicity, this important issue was not more BGH... allowed to be included in the report. Narration 11: Tomorrow: how consumers across America Citing Monsanto's repeated reminders about the FDA's have fought to stop the use of the drug...and why here in Florida ultimate approval of the drug, reporters were instructed you can't know if the supermarket milk on your family's table never to characterise BGH testing as "short-term", nor allow —_ comes from treated or untreated cows. any critic to do so. This further distorts the viewers' true Sound: (Milk being poured into tall glass) Reporters were told not to feport these blanket government assurances in the context that ‘they are based primarily on Monsanto company looked at potential chronic, long-term human health effects. 24 = NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2001 studies which never www.nexusmagazine.com