Overuse of antibiotics in agriculture has led to many antibiotic-resistant diseases in humans. Animals aree often given antibiotics in low doses to prevent disease, (often caused by unsanitary and crowded conditions), and to aid in growth. Animals that are fed antibiotics grow faster, experiencing 4 to 5 percent more body weight, than those who don't receive antibiotics. (This of course, enables the farmer to get the animals to the market faster.) But in the end, it is the consumer of the food who suffers most, as this is the ideal scenario for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop. When the Federal Drug Administration finally banned the use of fluoroquinolones in 1997, the Bayer Corporation objected loudly, because antibiotics for livestock is a huge cash cow (excuse the pun) for drug companies. In fact, astoundingly, approximately 70% of all antibiotic use is with animals. The World Health Organization, along with many other medical organizations, have suggested that animals should not be fed antibiotics, in order to decrease antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but their voices have not been heeded, in spite of the fact that the FDA also has agreed with this view.

The low doses of the drugs encourage antibiotic-resistance by bacteria. Antibiotics also enter the food chain, in ways other than through actual consumption of the livestock. Organic farmers often use animal manure as their source of fertilizer, and studies have shown that antibiotics in manure are transferred to food crops. Studies have also proven that these antibiotic-resistant bacteria are showing up in humans, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of Environmental Quality. As a result, the American Medical Association has also requested that the "non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials in animals, that are also used in humans, should be terminated or phased out..." The drug industry immediately denied that there was a problem with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and adamantly disapproved of any constraints on the use of antibiotics in agriculture. Obviously, scientific findings about health concerns in humans should far outweigh the desire for profit, but so often, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, it doesn't.

Apparently, other nations have been quicker to react to the dangers of this practice, and have banned the routine use of antibiotics in livestock, and as a result, have seen a decline in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Denmark, the world's largest exporter of pork, placed a ban on antibiotic food additives in 1998. The results have been notable, and a study by the World Health Organization showed that overall use of antibiotics in agriculture was reduced by half, and there was a "dramatic" reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals. Animal health and food safety was not affected, and food prices did not increase. There is now a similar antibiotic ban in all EU countries. Sweden has also banned this practice since 1986. (Another improvement that resulted, in Denmark and Sweden, was better animal hygiene and shelter conditions.)

However, Denmark must still be using the non-therapeutic antibiotics to some degree, because a recent article that I read at Mercola.com, indicates that there is a new bacteria being transmitted from pigs to humans in Denmark. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) is killing both people and swine.

The antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted from livestock to humans in various ways. Much meat in the grocery store is contaminated with these resistant bacteria. The Journal of Infectious Disease found in a 2006 study, that bacteria from chicken, and from those who consumed the chicken, were resistant to a particularly strong antibiotic, Synercid, which is used specifically to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. Agriculture workers are also able to pick up the antibiotic-resistant bacteria as they come in contact with feed, manure, and the animals themselves. The infections can then spread through their families, and eventually communities. Finally, groundwater, soil, and surface water are contaminated through manure, which contains the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Some Salmonella strains of bacteria, and E. Coli are now resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The E. Coli antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been identified in increasing numbers of urinary tract infections, and are now resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins.

What can be done? Theoretically, the FDA can cancel the drug approvals for agricultural use, but in the past it has taken up to 20 years to complete per class of drug. Currently, 7 classes of antibiotics are being used as food additives for livestock, and as medicine for humans. The FDA admitted in 2003, that the use of antibiotics in livestock was a contributing factor to antibiotic-resistant diseases in humans. While encouraging the review of future antibiotics, the FDA has not come up with any schedule for doing so, or a plan for dealing with the antibiotics already being used in agriculture. Research indicates that without the help of Congress in providing new legislation to address this serious issue, there is no hope that it will be dealt with in an urgent manner. Legislation is being considered by Congress, and does not affect antibiotics needed to treat sick animals.

Consumers need to get involved, and insist that the meat they purchase be antibiotic-free. (Grass fed cows are not routinely given antibiotics.) If the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture is allowed to continue, drug cures for many infections will be severely limited, or not available at all. Let's pray that action is taken before some unexpected antibiotic-resistant super-bug wipes out numerous populations.

Sources:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/03/antibiotic-resistant-disease-killing-humans-and-swine.aspx http://www.fda.gov/cvm/fqnotice.htm http://www.keepantibioticsworking.com/new/index.cfm http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/01/26/agriculture.aspx http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/antibiotics-in-feed.aspx

This post originally appeared on Yahoo! Voices on April 11, 2008.

This blog is a part of MomsRising’s Supermoms Against Superbugs Blog Carnival! Please check out other great posts from experts, parents and activists on the front lines in the fight to keep our food healthy and safe.