Subject: Steroids everywhere: Larry, the recent congressional hearing on the use of steroids in Major League Baseball called public attention to an epidemic of substance abuse by more than 500,000 young American athletes. Anabolic steroids, such as testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, zeranol and other growth hormones, promote muscle growth and strength. However, prolonged use has been implicated in breast, prostate and testicular cancer, heart disease sexual and reproductive disorders, immunodefliciecies and liver damage, as well as abnormal growth and premature sexual development in young girls. Tragically, all American consumers of beef and most milk drinkers also are exposed to these hazards. Growth hormones are administered to 90% of U.S. and Canadian beef cattle and 25% of dairy cows to promote weight gain and milk production. Consequently, the European Union has banned imports of U.S. and Canadian beef since 1989, sparking a nasty trade war. American consumers who are not into anabolic steroids will be well advised to stay away from beef and dairy products. BB