Tender and tough. (Letters).From a cattleman's perspective, I would like to add to your timely article "Hormones: Here's the beef" (SN: 1/5/02, p. 10) that besides the benefits that would come to the environment from stopping the use of pharmaceutical growth promoters in cattle, we would also have a more tender product to market. An under-reported side effect of the use of growth stimulants is about a 25 percent increase in toughness of the meat. If the beef industry would eliminate growth-enhancing drugs, our market would expand. Many producers have calculated, as I have, that this increased demand for beef would more than make up economically for less weight gain by untreated cattle. DAVID David, in the Bible David, d. c.970 B.C., king of ancient Israel (c.1010–970 B.C.), successor of Saul. The Book of First Samuel introduces him as the youngest of eight sons who is anointed king by Samuel to replace Saul, who had been deemed a failure. SHEEGOG, PAOLI, OKLA OKLA Oklahoma (old style) . The last sentence of the article's sidebar, "The financial lure of hormones," says that "regulators haven't considered what effects the hormones might have after being excreted into the environment." That is simply not true. The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires the Center for Veterinary Medicine Center for Veterinary Medicine regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals. These include animals from which human foods are derived, as well as food additives and drugs for pet (or companion) animals. (CVM) to consider the potential environmental impacts associated with the approval of all new animal drugs. All six of the hormonal drugs approved for growth promotion in beef have up-to-date environmental assessments. In accordance with NEPA, CVM has issued for all six hormones a formal "Finding of No Significant Impact." Our members are committed to providing animal drugs that are safe and effective. This commitment includes safety to the environment. RICHARD A. CARNEVALE, ANIMAL HEALTH INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON, D.C. Regarding the cover photo and caption for the article, would it not be more accurate to show the CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of an agribusiness and identify him or her as the polluter? Steer #1225 is surely not to blame for what is done to him. ALICE WESTPHAL, EVANSTON, ILL. I wanted to express my thanks for the recent coverage that Science News gave to environmental estrogens Estrogens Hormones produced by the ovaries, the female sex glands. Mentioned in: Acne, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome estrogens (es´trōjenz), n. . Unfortunately, I was acknowledged for another student's work. The research conducted at Clemson University on the effects of bovine estrogens on juvenile sunfish sunfish, common name for members of the family Centrachidae, comprising numerous species of spiny-finned, freshwater fishes with deep, laterally flattened bodies found in temperate North America. was actually conducted by Jacki M. Brynda. My studies involved analyzing cattle runoff for estrogens and the effects on nearby turtle populations. LISA The first personal computer to include integrated software and use a graphical interface. Modeled after the Xerox Star and introduced in 1983 by Apple, it was ahead of its time, but never caught on due to its $10,000 price and slow speed. K. IRWIN, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, CONWAY, ARK. |
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