U.S. Dairy Industry at a Crossroad: Biotechnology and Policy Choices

摘要

In the 1990s, the U.S. dairy industry will experience a technological revolution. Many of the new technologies may create some controversy. But in the early 1990s, the most pervasive and controversial technology will be bovine somatotropin (bST) produced through recombinant DNA technology. The report examines the emerging technologies that will potentially be available to the dairy industry in the 1990s. It analyzes these technologies with special attention to bST. The analysis includes an assessment of bST, a discussion of other emerging technologies in the decade, and an economic and policy analysis of the impact that these technologies, including bST, will have on the dairy industry. The report concludes that, based on today's research findings, bST poses no additional risk to consumers and does not produce adverse health effects to cows. However, if approved by FDA, bST will accelerate trends that already put additional economic stress on dairy farm operators in many areas of the country. Other new technologies that may become available during the decade may also have similar impacts as bST and raise similar issues.