What is rBGH?
rBGH is the abbreviation for recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone. It's the generic term for a genetically engineered, synthetic drug produced by the Monsanto Corporation. It also may be referred to as recombinant Bovine Somatotropin, or rBST.
rBGH is injected into dairy cows to increase milk production by 5 to 15 percent. An estimated 20 percent of the cows in the United States are given this hormone.
rBGH was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993, but remains one of the FDA's most controversial decisions. (See The FDA policy.) The drug is banned in Canada, Japan, Australia and all 25 countries of the European Union.