Safety of bovine somatotropin in the dairy cow

Abstract

While much has been written and said about bovine somatotropin it is important to remember that this product has not been approved for use in the dairy cow. Approval of any new drug requires stringent testing and proof that the product is effective and safe. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for determining that the product meets these criteria. Effectiveness simply means that the product will meet manufacturer claims and safety indicating that the product is safe for the target animal, the food product produced by that animal is safe for human consumption, and the product presents no safety threats to the environment. In the case of BST the FDA has determined milk and meat from treated cows is safe for human consumption and that milk from BST research trial sites can be processed and utilized as any other milk. Determinations of efficacy and safety to the target animal and the environment are yet to be made by the FDA.