I'm not sure what to think about hormones in foods derived from animals. I guess it's a difference between naturally occurring hormones and synthetic, injected ones.
I wouldn't say hormone injections are a genetic modification, rather, I see then as manipulation or triggerings of normal cycles within the animal biology.
For example, growth in young animals is controlled by the pituitary gland as it secretes growth hormones to the entire body.
if we eat the meat of a young animal, there will most likely be some growth hormones in the meat, since the animal is still in its growing phase, OSIT.
When a cow has a baby or when the teats are repeatedly stimulated, it's body produces certain hormones that trigger lactation and I assume some of those hormones can end up in the milk.
I don't really know what the effect of these animal hormones have on humans. It's one thing to take in hormones from our own species, but from another species? Maybe they do impact on human genes.
And then there's the question of hormones produced in a laboratory.
In Canada, we don't allow the use of rbGH (synthetic bovine growth hormone) in dairy cattle and won't allow milk imports if the source cattle had hormone injections.
But the problem is, we have to rely on honest, because it is currently impossible to detect the difference between naturally occurring growth hormone and the synthetic variant. We just don't have the technology yet.
This concerns me as I don't put a lot of faith in self governing industries, especially when they know we could never detect non-compliance. And our huge neighbour to the south, the US, loves to use rbGH
As regulations evolve more in favour of larger producers, smaller farms end up having to face the go big or go broke scenario. Cooperative buying used to be the way to go when I was younger, but now farmers can only have a certain amount of chickens, for example, before they have to participate in an expensive supply management system (marketing board) that favours larger producers.
I know a few farms are opting to produce a mix of market vegetables and just enough food animals of various types to stay below the need to buy quota and join supply management. They sell boxed vegetables and the consumer gets whatever is in season. One friend has started 4 season gardening, using hoop gardens, a series of half-circle hoops that form a frame over which they put plastic to create a long, short greenhouse over single rows. In the winter they grow winter hardy vegetable and greens like kale.
Since labeling laws have not caught up with consumer demand, we still don't have GMO labeling requirements. In fact, we are still trying to hammer out country of origin labeling requirements right now. So many people want so much on the label that there wouldn't be enough label to contain the content.
Sure makes me wish I could retire and farm for myself and friends. Unfortunately, I won't be able to retire for another 15-20 years, since - started late in the pension world. Of course, I doubt I'll see the day I get to retire voluntarily.
Gonzo