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.

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