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Industrial Food Animal Production >> Antimicrobial Resistance
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to public health that we face. Antibiotics have saved countless human lives since their discovery, but overuse of these drugs has led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria around the world. In the U.S., it is estimated that 70 percent of all antibiotics consumed are given to food animals to promote faster growth. This type of usage is hastening the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are also used in animal agriculture to counter diseases that cattle suffer because they are eating an unnatural grain diet.
Recommended resources on this topic: Reports & Other Documents
Antimicrobial resistance World Health Organization, January 2002.
Antibiotic Resistance Fact Sheet American Public Health Association, 2003.
Antibiotic Resistance: Playing Chicken With Essential Drugs Environmental Defense Fund, 2001.
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Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
Industrial Food Animal Production, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Human Health E.K. Silbergeld, et al. Annual Review of Public Health, April 2008.
Elevated risk of carrying gentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli among U.S. poultry workers L.B. Price, et al. Environ Health Perspect, December 2007.
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in pigs and pig farmers T. Khanna, et al. Vet Microbiol; Oct. 16, 2007.
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Relevant Organizations
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW) Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) ... more
Additional Tools & Resources
The Use of Drugs in Food Animals: Benefits and Risks J.R. Coffman and G.W. Beran. National Academies Press, 1999 (book can be read online for free).
Get Smart on the Farm – Antibiotic Use in Agriculture: Program Materials and Educational Material Keep Antibiotics Working: Legislation link |
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