Scientific research commissioned by the European Union has concluded that six growth hormones used for growth promotion in cattle pose a risk to consumers. The adverse consequences include developmental, neurobiological, genetoxic, and carcinogenic effects.
The findings are being used by the European Union to support its 11 year ban on imports of beef from cattle treated with hormones. The embargo applies to such beef from around the world but is being most vigorously challenged by the United States and Canada. The Geneva based World Trade Organisation recently ruled against the EU ban. Despite the judgment, the EU is determined to keep the ban and is con-sidering offering compensation instead.
The independent scientists who carried out the research, whose results have been passed to the United States and Canada, concluded that there was substantial evidence to consider the natural hormone 17β-oestradiol as a complete carcinogen which could cause tumours. A statement by the European Commission noted that even small residues of this hormone carried an inherent risk of causing cancer and that the data available did not allow a quantitative estimate of the risk.
For the other five hormones—progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone, and inelengestrol—the scientists considered the information currently available inadequate for a quantitative assessment. At the same time, they insisted that it was not possible to establish threshold levels for any of the six growth promoters. They did warn, however, that of the various risk groups, prepubertal children were at risk greatest.