A
new Reuters
investigation exposes the serious abuse of antibiotics on modern farms, and
the risks posed to human health, including the emergence of antibiotic-resistant
superbugs.
According
to the feature, “Internal records examined by Reuters reveal that
some of the nation’s largest poultry producers routinely feed chickens an array
of antibiotics – not just when sickness strikes, but as a standard practice
over most of the birds’ lives.
“In every instance of antibiotic use identified
by Reuters, the doses were at the low levels that scientists say are especially
conducive to the growth of so-called superbugs, bacteria that gain resistance
to conventional medicines used to treat people. Some of the antibiotics belong
to categories considered medically important to humans, Reuters continues.
With 80 percent of antibiotics in the United
States administered to farmed animals, the risks posed to human health cannot
be overstated. And according to the World Health Organization, this is “a
problem so serious it threatens the achievements of modern medicine.
It’s time to withdraw our support of an industry
that puts us all at risk. For more information about transitioning away from
animal foods, as well as delicious recipes and meal ideas, visit ChooseVeg.com.
(photo: REUTERS/Max Whittaker)
(photo: REUTERS/Max Whittaker)