Antibiotics and Animals
In an article, Maggie Fox tells that when cattle are fed with tetracycline, a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic, their manure starts producing more methane than normal, thereby resulting in global warming. A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that antibiotics kill those bacteria that can compete with methane-producing microbes. Farmers have been warned to stop feeding their cattle with antibiotics, which can also help the animals to grow faster, but can also increase the production of antibiotic resistant “superbugs”. Fox tells that the guts of all animals including human beings are filled with microbes including bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms known as archaea, which can produce so much methane. Suppression of bacteria can increase the number of these methane producing organisms, thereby increasing methane production (Fox, nbcnews.com).
In an article on NBC News, Perrone tells that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to limit the use of antibiotic drugs such as penicillin in animals, which is increasing the problem of drug-resistant bacteria and this has become a global health problem. Antibiotics are commonly provided to the cattle to increase their weight and help them in their health. FDA is trying its best to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance, but agriculture industry is of opinion that the drugs are important for modern meat production. The article tells that according to FDA guidelines, it is important to use antibiotics “judiciously” or whenever it is required for the better health of animals. Moreover, these drugs have to be taken on prescription. Currently, these drugs are available over-the-counter, and according to estimates, nearly 80% of all antibiotics in the U.S. go to animal farms (Perrone, nbcnews.com).
Works Cited
Fox, Maggie. " Feeding Antibiotics to Farm Animals May Worsen Climate Change". Food Safety. NBC News. 2016. Web. 17 Aug. 2016 <http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/feeding-antibiotics-farm-animals-may-worsen-climate-change-n580406>.
Perrone, Matthew. "FDA wants limits on antibiotics given to animals". Food Safety. NBC News. 2012. Web. 17 Aug. 2016 <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47017555/ns/health-food_safety/t/fda-wants-limits-antibiotics-given-animals/#.V7PoGJh97IV>.
