A debate about dairy products concerns the labeling of milk produced from cows that have been injected with the hormone BST, which significantly increases milk production.

Since the FDA has determined that this synthetically produced copy of a milk hormone is indistinguishable from the hormone produced naturally by the cow, and also has determined that milk from cows treated with BST is indistinguishable from milk from untreated cows, some people have argued that no labeling requirement is necessary.

Others argue that the consumer has a right to know.

a. Where do you think most dairy farmers stand on this labeling issue?

b. If consumers have a right to know, should labels inform them of other drugs, such as antibiotics, normally given to cows?

c. Do you think dairy farmers who support BST labeling also support the broader labeling law that would be needed if other drugs were included? Why?