HORMONE HORRORS: a Prescription for Cruelty
The scene: Late September. Pregnant mares, 3-4 months into their 11 month-long pregnancies are tethered by chains into cramped, individual stalls. Rubber collection cups are fixed into position beneath each mare's tail to catch her urine. These urine collection devices (UCDs) are painful and not very hygienic for the mares, allowing urine to soak the skin of the vulva and cause severe infections and painful lesions. The chain and collection apparatus prevent the mare from taking even so much as a small step in either direction. Sometimes, the restraining tether is so short that the animal cannot even lie her tired, pregnant body down comfortably. Even if she could lay down, she has inadequate (if any) bedding; instead, beneath her is a cold, concrete floor. She is deprived of water, with the exception of small amounts at timed intervals, in order to better concentrate her urine.
This torture lasts for another 6-7 months, until the animal is finally allowed outside to graze and birth her foal. Almost immediately, she is impregnated again and the vicious cycle starts over - unless the mare is not impregnated quickly enough; in which case, she is sent to slaughter. And what becomes of her foal? If, after 3-4 months, the foal does not join its mother on the PMU production line or is otherwise put to use, it is more than likely sent to slaughter.(1)
The year? Not the dark ages - now. 2001. The location? Not some remote, barbaric land. Here. In portions of North America and Canada. Why is this atrocious abuse occurring? So that a pharmaceutical giant can produce mass quantities of synthetic estrogen for the huge market of 51.8 million US women eligible for HRT.(2)
What you've just read is the abhorrent experiences of the 40,000-50,000+ pregnant mares used annually in the production of Premarin® (PREgnant MARe urINe).
Premarin® (forms include Prempro, Premphase and Prempac) is the only ERT drug that is derived from animals.(3)
What is Estrogen and Why do We Need it?
Estrogen is a dominant female hormone. Hormones are chemical messengers that control almost every aspect of the body; from growth and development, to metabolism and mood changes. Hormones also control heart rate, respiration, digestion, immune response and the ability to respond to stress. "Estrogen" actually encompasses 3 hormones: Estrone(E1), Estradiol(E2) and Estriol(E3). The primary source of estrogen in a normal adult women is the ovarian follicle, which secretes 70-500 micrograms of Estradiol daily, depending on the phase of her menstrual cycle. This is then converted primarily to Estrone, then to small amounts of Estriol. After menopause, Estrone is the most circulating hormone.
The female body has estrogen receptors in the tissues of the reproductive tract, breasts, pituitary, hypothalamus, liver and bones. Among other reasons, estrogen is important in the growth and development of the uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and breasts; it is responsible for the ovulatory menstrual cycle and pregnancy; it affects the release of pituitary gonadotropins; shapes the skeleton; maintains the tone and elasticity of urogenital structures; and it causes the pigmentation of the nipples and genitalia.
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce the symptoms of natural or surgical menopause in women. It is also prescribed to decrease the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease in women over 50.
Premarin®: Who Does it Really Benefit?
Premarin® is used as ERT by an estimated 9 million American women. Manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst, the Pharmaceutical division of American Home Products Corporation, Premarin® has been on the market for more than 5 decades and holds a reported 75% of the worldwide market share among all ERT drugs.(4) It is the single most prescribed drug in the U.S. and the 3rd most prescribed drug in Canada. It is also Canada's most lucrative pharmaceutical export to date.(5) Incidentally, Wyeth-Ayerst is also the manufacturer of FenPhen, the diet drug pulled from shelves by the FDA in September of 1997, for causing heart-valve leakage in some people using the products.
This mostly-Canadian industry has flourished for decades. Early allegations of mares living in squalor and foals being abused were brought forth early on, prompting the Ontario Government to step in and issue regulations tied to licensing; citing and revoking permits (PMU Farm Act, 1968-69, Regulation No. 217/70).
Premarin® production brings in revenue of close to $2B annually for Wyeth-Ayerst.(6)
Do We NEED Premarin®?
The answer is a resounding NO. These horses are tortured needlessly by and for a pharmaceutical empire that cares only about its bottom line. Many women have reported positive effects, such as reduction of symptoms, through the use of alternative therapies. There are boundless natural and synthetic alternatives to the exploitation and abuse of pregnant mares, including, but not limited to:
Herbs, such as:(7)
Dong Quai, also known as
Angelica. Dong Quai helps relieve hot flashes, as well as aid menstrual
difficulties commonly experienced with menopause. It can help ease heavy
flow, prolonged periods, relieve menstrual cramps, has stronger analgesic
properties than aspirin, dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure,
is an antiarrhythmic and reduces the incidence of heart attack and stroke.
Consult your licensed alternative healthcare practitioner for details and
additional uses.
Black Cohosh, an herb native to North America. This is commonly used by women to resolve such symptoms of menopause as hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, anxiety, menopausal depression, lowered concentration and headaches. Consult your licensed alternative healthcare practitioner for details and additional uses.
Plant-Based ERT currently
available in the US (ask your doctor for more information):
Alora®, Cenestin®
(the therapeutic alternative to Premarin® - see http://www.cenestin.com/
for details), Climara®, Estrace®, Estraderm®, Estratab®,
Estring®, FemPatch®, Menest®, Ogen®, Ortho-est®, Vivelle®
and the Vivelle Dot®.(8)
Abuse for Hire: Inside a PMU Ranch
The majority of PMU ranches are in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, with additional ranches located inside U.S. borders in North Dakota. In order to meet their quota requirements, PMU farmers work to maintain a constant urine volume of 0.5-0.75 gallons daily throughout the entire collection season. There are supposed "guidelines" for the care of these animals, set forth and enforced by the very people who exploit them - Wyeth-Ayerst. The farmers are paid by Wyeth-Ayest and the so-called inspectors who are sent out to "enforce" the rules for the care and keeping of the horses are also paid for by…Wyeth-Ayerst.(9)
The mares are rarely, if ever, released outside to exercise. Pro-PMU people say the reason is because it's "too cold," yet at all the ranches visited by Animal Advocacy Groups, no indoor arenas or turn-out pens were provided either. As a result, these overfed, under-exercised mares suffer from "stocking up," soreness, hoofwall separation and even in some cases, respiratory distress. The horses are overfed to keep them in slaughter weight for when their usefulness on the production line ceases and they are sold for meat consumption (a huge market overseas, particularly in Japan).(10)
The "Guidelines" state that the horses should be offered water no less than twice per day. However, the ranchers are paid based on the concentration of estrogen in the urine shipped. Depriving the mares of water increases the concentration of estrogen in their urine. The ranchers are paid nearly to $11 per 1 gallon of PMU (about $0.00275 per gram of estrogen collected).(11) According to one source, an inspection report by a veterinarian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture criticized the drug company's water restriction policy and cited evidence that it may be the cause of an apparent increase in liver and kidney disorders among PMU mares.(12)
These "Guidelines" and so-called "Rules" are not controlled by specific laws or government regulations. Instead, under the terms of their contract with Wyeth-Ayerst, the ranch managers are subject to a corporate code of practices developed in consultation with a committee of agricultural officials. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), this code is "insufficient to protect the well-being of the mares and the thousands of foals they produce." HSUS further stated, "we have learned that even this inadequate code has not been stringently followed. According to independent reports, the pharmaceutical company employs its own inspectors who allow farm managers considerable leeway regarding some of the recommended practices."(13)
As outlined earlier, when these mares and their foals (which are regarded as little more than a by-product of the business) cease their productiveness, they are, in most cases, sent off for slaughter.
Making a Choice can Mean Making a Difference
Choosing an ERT product is an important decision, one that every woman will likely have to consider at some point in her life. The HSUS has developed a few important questions(14) that women should discuss with their physician when considering ERT:
For a detailed chart comparing all FDA-approved estrogens, contact the Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037. Reference "Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy."
With an ostentatious website consisting of images of horses frollicking in amber waves of grain, their foals at their side, and beautiful horses obtaining prize ribbons (but no pictures of the mares on production lines), the NAERIC website refutes - and wordsmiths - the claims made by Animal Rights Organizations regarding the PMU horses (documented with photographic evidence and first-hand testimony). NAERIC, the North American Equine Ranching Information Council, is an organization located in Kentucky that represents "approximately 430 professional equine ranchers who, in addition to their other agricultural activities, collect pregnant mares' urine (PMU) in North Dakota, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba." Also included on this propaganda site excusing - and outright denying, in some instances - the abuse that goes on, are quotes from notable industry leaders, such as one from Dr. Nat Messer, Chairman of the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Equine Welfare Committee in a 1997 AAEP report:
"I feel this industry does represent a responsible use of horses and that using horses to produce a commodity for the benefit of mankind is appropriate, as long as the horses receive the type of humane care they do on these farms."
Interesting, considering the care and use of these animals is neither humane nor responsible, given the readily available alternatives. It is further interesting to note that such is "appropriate" for the "benefit of mankind," since mankind is generally not prescribed estrogen replacement therapy - womankind is.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
For more information about hormone replacement therapy, contact The Humane Society of the United States. Reference "Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy," HSUS, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037.
Get Involved: http://premarin.org/
If you are a surgical or natural candidate for ERT/HRT, ask your doctor to prescribe plant-based ERT products.
Those with stamina can see
the graphic photos of PMU mares and other horses being led off and slaughtered
at:
http://www.equineadvocates.com/hs/inside.html
References:
(1), (3), (4), (12), (13)
- "A Bitter Pill," by Marc Paulhus, Director-Humane Society of the United
States/Equine Protection. Winter 1996 HSUS News. http://www.hsus.org/info/pill.html
(2) - Wyeth Ayerst Corporation,
2000. http://www.Premarin.com/newindex.html
(5), (6), (9), (10), (11)
- IGHA/HorseAid, World Headquarters: Box 6778 Eastview Station, San Pedro,
CA 90734-6778. http://premarin.org/
(7) - Nature's Custom Blends.
http://www.naturescustomblends.com/properties/menopause.htm
(8) - Menopause Online.
http://www.menopauseonline.com
(14) - HSUS Research Investigations.
Checklist prepared by HSUS in consultation with David O. Wiebers, M.D.,
Jennifer Leaning, M.D., S.M.H., Ruth Barron, M.D. & Mary Helen Niemeyer,
M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.P., physician members of and consultants to the HSUS
Scientific Advisory Council. http://www.hsus.org/info/pill.html
Copyright ©2001 by Heather C. Guidone. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without express permission.