From: Hannah Wittich [hwittich@mindspring.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 8:37 PM
To: EXECSEC
Subject: Agricultural use of antibiotics

Jane E. Henney, M.D.
Commissioner
U. S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville MD 20857-0001



1/10/01


Dear Commissioner Henney:

I have long been deeply concerned about the over-use of antibiotics in both humans and in our agriculture. Recently there have been a number of articles in the New York Times about a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists that gives new estimates of the amount of antibiotics used to promote growth in healthy live-stock - I found these figures absolutely terrifying.  

After reading through these articles and the UCS's report, I felt compelled to write to you to emphasize the need for a government-guaranteed system to collect the basic data on agricultural antibiotic use in the United States.  It seems clear that this data is necessary for scientists to begin to safeguard our future by exploring the links between antibiotic use and the development of drug resistance, and to develop rational, effective strategies to reduce antibiotic use. The UCS states that this information should be collected for both human and agricultural use and should include the class, indication, dosage, and treatment period.

I would appreciate a reply as to the current status of any plans for such a system. Thank you for your attention to this matter.



Hannah Wittich
446 East 88th Street, Apt #3B
NYC NY 10128

Tel: 212 427 8739
E-Mail: hwittich@mindspring.com