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Article: Big on HGH?; Human Growth Hormone Helps Small Kids Grow, But Some Call Its Wider Use Shortsighted
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 30, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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In the mid-1950s, scientists figured out how to extract human
growth hormone from the dead, taking it from the pituitary glands of
cadavers and injecting it into small children to make them grow. It
was a rare and precious substance, doled out only to the neediest
children, those whose bodies were deficient in the hormone.
Then, 18 years ago, bioengineered growth hormone became available
in abundance. Pharmaceutical companies began to produce it, creating
a billion-dollar market serving hormone-deficient children and adults
and children with four other conditions that stunt growth -- about
200,000 patients worldwide. But use of the hormone was still limited
to those with diagnosable medical ...