rBGH: some facts and some udder amusement

For those unfamiliar with the acronym, rBGH stands for recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone. It's a hormone injection given to dairy cows to induce greater milk production. As the following chart (from USDA Agricultural Projections to 2016) shows, it's been pretty successful:


There are a number of potential side effects for both cows and humans from rBGH, but the FDA approved it as safe over 15 years ago. This site has a subtly negative view, but also has links to some solid sources, such as the Government Accountability Office's study suggesting more study before approval of the hormone. You can also learn a bit about rBGH from Stephen Colbert: