Keep Antibiotics Working
by Union of Concerned Scientists on 05.14.07
An estimated 70 percent of all antibiotics used in the United States are regularly added to the feed of livestock and poultry that are not sick. The antibiotics are used to promote growth for the animals, but they also have negative effects on human health. When bacteria are constantly exposed to the antibiotics, they become resistant to the drugs. As these resistant strains of bacteria move through the environment, the antibiotics used to preserve human health become less effective.
Scientists agree that the misuse of antibiotics is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant human diseases. Patients suffer through longer illnesses and higher medical costs, and doctors are left with a dwindling arsenal of drugs to fight disease. UCS and other groups are working to protect the important role antibiotics play in medicine.
There are two complimentary bill in Congress that would target the antibiotics unnecessarily used in livestock feed that have the most potential to hurt public health. Please write to your representatives today and ask them to support the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act.
