Know What Lurks In The Meat They Eat Essay

Then Tom continues education with a little education on the variety of antibiotics and how “crucial for treating serious human infections” (Philpott). Using a hotlink to a well-known credible organization like the “Food and Drug Administration” back up some of his statistics regarding over use of antibiotics in livestock operations. Tom continually notes

coli and Salmonella” (Veldman). This statement allows the reader to see the negative impact of antibiotics used in livestock. Gay Miller elaborates on the subject when speaking with Veldman, saying, “Of course, it raises concerns about resistance issues… but from my perspective the most important thing to reflect on with regard to antibiotic resistance is from a benefit/cost perspective.” Veldman continues to explain that the National Cattleman’s Beef Association Website also says, “…science has not found a link between the use of antibiotics in food animals and development of resistant bacteria that might compromise the efficacy of related antibiotics in human medicine.” These two statements by Veldman and Miller tell the reader that even though there is a chance that certain antibiotics used in livestock could be harmful to consumers, there is no scientific evidence to support

However, most experts say that overall meat is safer now than it's ever been. There is still a risk, though. For example, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, almost half of our meat and poultry contain Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that can cause serious infections as well as death (Andrew E. Waters). Here's what Lance B. Price, Ph.D., senior author of the study said about the bacteria, “We know that nearly half of our food supply's meat and poultry are contaminated with S. aureus, and more than half of those are multidrug resistant.” However, he goes on to say, “What we don't know [is] how often these transfer to people. We need more studies to quantify the public health impact (Gardner).” Furthermore, Pascal James Imperato, M.D., dean of the School of Public Health at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY said, “Numerous studies of this type done in other countries...have generally come up with the same findings, that multidrug-resistant S. aureus are present in a variety of animal meats.” "But, so far, no one has been able to draw a connection between the presence of those bacteria in meats and human illness (Gardner)." So, as one can see, even though S. aureus is

Industrial farms use antibiotics in animal feed and water to prevent disease in farm animals. Many farms use antibiotics before an infection has even occurred.

Antibiotic use in animals has recently captured the attention of various professionals as the blatant, adverse effects have become increasingly prevalent. Agricultural manufacturers carelessly inject livestock with antibiotics in order to maximize their weight gain by minimizing the amount of energy consumed in fighting illnesses. This broad use of antibiotics in food-producing animals has contributed to the emergence and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, resulting in either mild or fatal illnesses. To put the severity of this issue in perspective, legislators must realize that 1 in 5 antibiotic-resistant infections are caused by bacteria from food and animals. Although antibiotic use in animals is not the sole culprit of the

In the past century there has been a substantial change in the way human beings raise and keep animals meant for food. While in the past there were great numbers of widely spaced small individual farms, now there are relatively few, but extremely large industrialized farms. And as the numbers of animals kept and slaughtered for human consumption increases, these industrialized farms, known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations or CAFO's, are having more and more of an impact on the environment and people around them. The concentration of animals causes a major problem with the waste products they produce, as well as the gases, chemicals, and other types of byproducts. And the increased use of antibiotics in the animals is beginning to have a profound effect on the health of not only the environment but the communities that exist around these industrialized farms. CAFO's, and their secondary industries, are also a large consumer of oil, gasoline, and other fuels which can have an indirect, but devastating effect on the environment. Luckily there are some who have come to recognize the problems, and potential future problems, involved in this type of animal farming and have begun to inform the public to the dangers these farms pose. And in response to this information, the public is beginning to force changes in the way these CAFO's operate and the impact they have on the environment and

This is due in part by the previous statement to get higher yields out every animal raised. Cattle, chickens and pigs alike are all subject to certain fattening diets, modern breeding techniques and growth hormone treatments. These forced practices have very adverse, life altering and threatening affects that lead farmers to use antibiotics in order to keep diseases at bay. The Committee on Drug Use in Food Animals states, “doses are used when pathogens are known to be present in the environment or when animals encounter a high stress situation and are more susceptible to pathogens “, (1999, p. 28). It is important to point out that the use of growth hormones and antibiotics dramatically increases body mass, drastically shortens the lifespan of animals such as cattle and is being detected in food for human consumption.

Do you want the animals you eat feed antibiotics and the food is not fresh or do you want food that is fresh and the animals are feed right?Ranchers and farmers have been feeding antibiotics to the animals we eat. Ever since they discovered decades ago and has been found as a health risk to humans but there is a food chain that can help America. The local sustainable food chain is the best food source to feed America.

Some other readers would swear by the benefits of antibiotics and may have no interest in giving up its consumption. According to Tamara Thompson, the editor of the book “Superbugs”, “The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock is one key factor in the development of so called superbugs, […]. This happens when people take antibiotics unnecessarily, or when they begin antibiotic treatment but do not finish all of their medicine” (Superbugs 8). By making this statement, Tamara without a doubt agrees that the abuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock is the root of the problem. Modern technology has given rise to the use of antibiotics in farmlands to protect crops from pathogenic invasion.

Since the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century its use has widely prevailed. While its introduction to the medicine industry has brought many benefits like almost eradicating some diseases, its use is now bringing concern to public health. Antibiotics are excessively being used that the possibility of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major risk. One huge source of antibiotic consumption comes from the agricultural business. Livestock like swine and poultry are fed subtherapeutic antibiotics as

In recent years, Americans have been blaming antibiotics used in animals to be processed for food for many of the growing number of health problems in developed countries. Fast food restaurants are making movements to remove antibiotic treated meats from their menus. This movement is causing quite the stir in consumers and livestock producers alike. Do the antibiotics used in beef really contribute to antibiotic resistant diseases? Should antibiotics be outlawed in the use of farm animals? The eradication of antibiotic use in America’s beef industry is not feasible due to its usage in the treatment and control of deadly or discomforting diseases.

Most Americans are aware of global warming, cancer, heart disease and the fact that the earth’s supply of good water is diminishing. In an effort to conserve our planet people drive hybrid cars, recycle, and use low energy light bulbs and appliances, which is great. However, most Americans are unaware and uninformed about how meat effects global warming, our health, and how much of our planet’s water and resources meat production consumes. Meat contributes to global warming, increases risk for cancer, causes heart disease and uses a tremendous amount of resources to produce, therefore people need to be informed about what they are eating through food labeling and Surgeon General warnings, as well as

Levy, M.D., who has studied the subject for years, estimates that there are “ 15-17 million pounds of antibiotics used sub-therapeutically in the United States each year.” Apparently, antibiotics are given to animals for therapeutic reasons, but that use isn't as controversial because few argue that sick animals should not be treated. The biggest controversy however, is the fact that antibiotics are used to treat human illnesses, but they are administering them to food animals. The subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in food animals can pose a health risk to humans. For example, If a group of animals is treated with a certain antibiotic over time, the bacteria living in those animals will become resistant to that drug. Concern about the growing level of drug-resistant bacteria has led to the banning of subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in meat animals in many countries in the European Union and Canada. In the United States, however, such use is still

America is not what it used to be. America has changed from what it was yesterday, and will evolve into the infinite unknown. Every day we continue to lose touch with our self-respect and what we value. We have lost our morality for animals. The public majority seems to no longer care how our meat is produced and made. Big companies have been able to keep it a secret from the people of how bad our meat has gotten over the past few years. These big companies are making billions of dollars a year, $198 billion to be exact, and are spending that money to keep their operations blind to anyone who even attempts to investigate them. The only way for these companies to really take a hit is if the public truly knows about what these companies are doing behind the curtain, the public needs to be properly educated on what’s happening to these animals and decide if all this cruelty is really worth it or not. This has been an ongoing problem for years now and it seems companies have gained nothing but power since most people have not cared to take notice.

For nearly thirty years, there have been quality assurance programs to help reassure farmers and ranchers are continuously improving the way they raise beef. This includes the way antibiotics are used to protect human health and animal health as well, otherwise known as antibiotic stewardship. “Antimicrobial stewardship is a coordinated program that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics), improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms” (Khabbaz ). There are some controversial