Learn → Glossary → veterinary drug

Diethylstilbesterol

Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary

Diethylstilbesterol is a veterinary drug — Synthetic estrogen fed to cattle and sheep to fatten them

Also: DES, Stilbestrol

What it does

Synthetic estrogen fed to cattle and sheep to fatten them

Where you'll see it

Cattle, sheep

What the research says

Proven carcinogen per FDA. In 1971, three Harvard scientists linked DES to rare vaginal cancer in daughters of women who had taken DES during pregnancy.

Regulatory status

  • EU: banned
  • Notes: FDA zero tolerance after withdrawal; EU forbidden

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): three Harvard scientists linked DES to a rare form of vaginal cancer in the daughters of women who had taken DES during pregnancy