The growth factor, IGF-1, has been tied to human cancer development and growth. Because rBGH creates an excess of this factor, a ten-fold increase in IGF-1 has been reported in cows. Since IGF-1 is incapable of destruction by human digestive processes, it is absorbed into the intestinal wall. It may additionally be absorbed into drinkers’ bloodstreams.

The appearance of IGF-1 in milk, cheeses and consumers’ diets has also been linked to colon and prostate cancers. Similarly, prenatal and infant breast exposure to milk containing this growth factor may increase the risk of breast cancer in the future. Many American dairy providers have stopped use of this hormone and have consequently labeled their milk as “NO rBGH.” However, the easiest guarantee of rBGH-free milk is to drink organically.

Money, That’s All I Want

GreenStar Cooperative Market is the department store of organic foods. GreenStar is bursting with organic selections; to the left – organic bread, to the right – organic soap, directly in front of you – organic tampons, behind you – Vaughn Sherman’s milk in the form of a neatly packaged Organic Valley jug. In short, if you’re looking for anything organic, from parsley to peanuts, GreenStar Cooperative Market is your best bet in Ithaca.

The small market is a democratically run cooperative; the members of the store are also the owners. With over 5,000 members and 130 employees, GreenStar is one of the only independent groceries in Ithaca that could realistically give Wal-Mart and Wegman’s a run for their money.

Tycho Dan, GreenStar’s lead produce stocker, has seen a definite increase in consumer interest in organics, even since the beginning of his employment two years ago. Dan believes that a number of factors have contributed to this explosion in interest, including awareness, marketing and even global warming.

“There’s no doubt about it. Organic blew everyone away with the speed of its popularity and with the growth of its market share,” says Dan.

And Dan is right. The popularity of organics got everyone interested – everyone including huge corporations like Wal-Mart.

“On the one hand it’s invaluable in spreading the word about organics and people becoming aware of the issues, to have them in stores where they’re not normally exposed to that. So in that sense, it’s fantastic that Wal-Mart has organics,” says Tycho Dan.

Dan refers to Wal-Mart’s recent organic initiative. Wal-Mart is now selling and marketing organics, complete with a natural-looking green swirl acting as the “O,” something clearly seen to be the perfect marketing tool to catch the eyes of eco-friendly buyers.

The site even features an “Organics for Everyone” section side-by-side with a Gerber Organic link. If one didn’t know any better, sentences like “Focusing on the environment is key to our mission to improve the quality of life for people around the world” would really sound believable.

However, facts like these completely annihilate Wal-Mart’s eco-friendly guise: Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection sued Wal-Mart in May 2000 over pesticide and fertilizer pollution in neighboring streams and rivers. Additionally, Wal-Mart dominates whole communities, sucking up farmland, jobs and consequently increases car-dependency.