A new biotech flashpoint: human growth hormone. (drug manufactured by Genentech Inc.)

The public advocacy group that instigated a national controversy over genetically engineered bovine growth hormone is now setting its sights on a drug manufactured by Genentech Inc.

The Washington, D.C.-based Foundation on Economic Trends is charging that Genentech-made human growth hormone, a drug used to treat growth disorders in children, is being widely abused and should come under the stringent regulation of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

The foundation claims human growth hormone, marketed by Genentech under the name Protropin and Nutropin, is being prescribed by doctors for questionable purposes not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as to help bodybuilders increase muscle mass. Within the next two weeks, the organization plans to file a petition with the DEA in an effort to have the drug placed in the same restrictive category as anabolic steroids.

South San Francisco-based Genentech generated $217 million last year from Protropin and Nutropin sales.

The FDA has approved use of …