gwt561324

Same goes for you. You're asking that we have some science to back up the claim that it isn't harmful, I haven't seen any evidence provided that it is harmful. No one has been able to show deleterious effects from the use of ionophores or tetracycline in feed, which I'm willing to take as a negative proof that their use is acceptable.

Just because it hasn't happened yet is not a reason not to do something. A tornado hasn't wiped out my house yet, should I move because it might happen some day? Of course there is a risk associated with their use, but the estimated risk is miniscule. It's not even measurable yet. Let's worry about problems we can identify and solve rather than wasting time fretting about what may be.

You're correct, feed grade antibiotics aren't used for humans. The use of antibiotics that are used in human therapy for feed grade antibiotics is already outlawed by the FDA.

You missed the part earlier in the article where it says that is not considered judicious use.

Also, you should understand what types of antibiotics are used in feed versus those that are used in treatment. The feed isn't some concoction of all antibiotics available on the market, and most food animal antibiotics aren't used in humans.

80% of the antibiotics used in the US are used in agriculture because they make up 80% of the mass. Dosage is based on weight, and it's purely a question of mass, not a choice between animals or people.

I also think your billion is wrong. According the Union of Concerned Scientists, the 30 billion was the cost of the antibiotics, not the weight. The antibiotics weighed 24 million pounds. Besides, what does the total mass have to do with prudent use? If I said we used 100 billion pounds to save people, would you consider that acceptable?

You also need to put that number in context. In 2010, American meat companies produced: 26.4 billion pounds of beef 22.5 billion pounds of pork 5.8 billion pounds of turkey 313 million pounds of veal, lamb and mutton 37.2 billion pounds of chicken

Finally, there is no clear evidence that the proper use of antibiotics in food animals has ever led to a disease resistant bacteria in humans. Don't you find it much more alarming that your GP will prescribe antibiotics to common visitors just to get them out the door? It's far more likely you're going to die purely because someone next to you won't leave the doctor until they get an antibiotic, regardless of their health status.