Everett Koop, M.D.
Statement of C. Everett Koop
February 6, 1994

"Milk from cows given supplemental bovine somatotropin is the same as any other milk. So, there should be no doubt in the minds of consumers that the milk they drink is just as safe, nutritious and wholesome as it has always been. Every issue and every question about bST has been thoroughly and carefully studied by the federal government and several independent scientific institutions. Consumers can continue to enjoy milk and dairy foods with complete confidence.

"Unfortunately, a few fringe groups are using misleading statements and blatant falsehoods as part of a long-running campaign to scare consumers about a perfectly safe food. Their long-range goal is to prevent the benefits of biotechnology from reaching the public. Because dairy foods are an important, widely consumed source of nutrition, it is necessary to condemn these attacks on the safety of milk for what they are: baseless, manipulative and completely irresponsible.

"Even worse are attempts by some persons to use school children as pawns in their opposition to bST. Any suggestion that milk from bST-supplemented cows is unsafe for children to consume at school, or home, is a potential threat to their health and well being. We should be reenforcing the message that all dairy foods, when consumed as part of a varied and balanced diet, are healthful – and not burden our children with unwarranted fears about food safety.

"Supermarkets and dairy processors can play an important role by assuring consumers of the safety of the milk supply, by providing the facts on bST to interested customers, or by referring them to credible health and nutrition authorities.

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