In fact, penicillin is only use via injection, in concentrated doses, and only if the animals to be injected are sick or with high fever. Penicillin doses are usually once or twice only and the particular animal which has been injected with such medication is separated from other animals and would not be harvested within a certain period. This is to ensure that there is no penicillin residues left in any system or body parts of the animal http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 1). Moreover, as of latest survey, only 1% (or even less) of the cattle have recorded to ever had any doses of penicillin. Cattleman's Beef Association has made sure that their campaign initiated five years ago regarding the unnecessary use of tetracycline in cattle feed is being monitored and continued http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 1).

Natural and Organic beef have no hormones." http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 2).

This is definitely not true because every plant, animal and all human beings have naturally occurring hormones because this plays a very important role in growing and developing of the body http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 2). Neeedless to say, whatever kind of beef it is, there must surely be specific amount of hormone present on it. This will only differ on the number of hormones present per type of beef, as explained above.

Cattle are pumped full of artificial hormones called steroids." http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 3).

There is no significant evidence that could prove the above statement for recent studies showed that almost half of the beef in the U.S. are receiving only small implant at the base of the ear. The only purpose of this tiny and insignificant implant is to stimulate the natural endocrine system of the cattle to allow the said animal to grow more muscle or proteins and lesser f at: http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 3).

We can't do anything about aging." http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 4).

Naturally, as humans, the endocrine system tends to produce less estrogen and testosterone. Likewise, the level of natural hormones go down as the number of years living increases. Such decrease will result to thinner skin, weaker bones, aging spots, memory loss, graying hair and reduced sex drive. However, there are evidences showing that octogenarians have a longer natural hormone production. In fact, women, even at the stage of ageing, who take estrogen replacement therapy during and after menopause will have a two-year longer life duration than people who will not take estrogen. Thus, it can now be inferred that through hormone replacement therapy, lifespan can be increased significantly and this is an accepted medical practice already http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 4).

Cattle that receive "growth promotants" have high levels of hormones." http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 5).

To reiterate, the human body naturally produces hormones. The amount of hormones present in the beef that human consumes is just a very tiny part of what humans already have inside his/her body system. In fact, a man's body produces 15,000 times of estrogen hormones, daily, that can be digested fro 1 pound of beef whereas a pregnant woman is producing several millions of hormones inside her body http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 5).

Ionophores are antibiotics" http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 6).

Monesin ans iasolocid are two of the most commonly used preparation of ionophores. These two are parasiticides and not antibiotics. They are applied to the animals to prevent the occurrence of coccidia. Parasite control is very important particularly in the promotion of animal health http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 6).

Sometimes, ionophores are used to enhance the digestion of the animals, especially the cattle. It should be noted that cattle are example of ruminants which have four compartments in their stomach. The action of gram negative microfolora enables the breaking down of cellulose. Hence, ionophores alter the propionic and acetic acid balance inside the digestive tract of the cattle and actually enhance many of these "good" bacteria http://www.maverickranch.com/beef-hormones-mdirf5.htm,2006 para 6).

The Ongoing Issue

Until now, the ongoing issue over the beef hormone case is still under debates and discussion. This is because European countries has imposed a ban against the consumption and/or buying of beef products from America and Canada because these countries are known for their hormone-induced cattle.

America and Canada on the other hand, admitted that they are treating their cattle with hormones as approved by the countries food and drug authority.

Thus these two countries are claiming the Europe has only imposed such ban of cattle treated with six types of growth hormones because the country just like to protect their own beef farmers and not because of what it claimed to be as a legitimate SPS measure. As a response, EU argued that the country has the right to impose a ban to whatever imported products whenever it deems to do so,...

In fact, EU alone has initiated its own research funding which is aimed at analyzing the substantial effect of such hormone induced beef to the human body and results revealed that there is no significant effects that induced hormones can provide to the body (WTO Appellate Body Report, 1998 pp 5). Moreover, there are other studies that show that such hormones are not actually unsafe for the body. There are some kinds of hormones that can be actually found in other products or food items which are in higher concentrations that that found in the beef. These products or food items include eggs, butter, and broccoli (WTO Appellate Body Report, 1998 pp 6).
Works Cited and List of