This module informed me of the use of antibiotics and the potential detriments they have on our health and the environment. It is interesting to learn that 80% of antibiotics are used for agriculture purposes. Industry farmers discovered that giving their livestock low, non-therapeutic dose of antibiotics help animals grow faster. The issue is that over time, bacteria that survive within the livestock end up reproducing as antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria and thus passing along AR genes. This antibiotic farming method is thought to be the origins of some AR bacteria in humans. This unnecessary increase of AR in our food supply and in humans creates an issue when antibiotics are taken therapeutically and end up combatting AR illnesses. As the article noted, the AR needs to be addressed at the source. Currently the FDA has voluntary initiative to curb the use of antibiotics in livestock. Also, buying organic can ensure, but not guarantee, AR-free meat.
Although voluntary incentives are in place by the FDA, policies are needed to ban the use of non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock. A number of EU nations have banned such use and have increased research to track the use and prevalence of AR.
The addition article shed light into the effects of other antibacterial products. The Scientific American blog emphasized that antibacterial soaps are just as effective as traditional soap, yet antibacterial soaps are everywhere. Also, there is an increase in antimicrobial material and products, specifically in hospital settings, in which the anticipated benefits are unknown. As illustrated in the article, "failure to examine life cycle
benefits and risks of other chemical agents have resulted
in nearly ubiquitous exposures with adverse human health
and environmental effects discovered years later, after
irreparable damage is done."
Antibiotic resistance is a critical public health issue. Massive use of antibiotics in livestock should be restricted because it poses a threat to human health. Patients infected with some antibiotic-resistant bacteria do not respond to conventional antibiotics. They may need last generation antibiotics and some sometimes we just run out of options. Antibiotics are meant to be used against bacterial infections only. At the same time, health care professionals should be encouraged to prescribe antibiotics only when they are clinically necessary, and to educate patients about their proper use. Perhaps Congress should pass legislation to ban non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock and the FDA could also take measurements to control AR.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, laws need to exist in order to ban the use of antibiotics in livestock. The articles point out the negative effects of injecting livestock with antibiotics. Like Ana mentioned, this is important public health issue, we need to moving towards a lifestyle where we do not depend fully on chemicals, or in this case antibiotics in livestock for an economic gain. I'm curious to know, what is th percentage of the population the knows the antibiotics are being injected into livestock. I understand that companies might put it on their labels, but do individuals really know what that means? As public health professionals we need to be advocating for the ban of antibiotics in livestock, but we should also be informing our communities about this issue and the effects it had on our health.
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