One of the arguments for eating organic meat is that the overuse of antibiotics in cattle can lead to new strains of bacteria resistant to innoculation and therefor more dangerous for the consumer. Several years ago, England made a connection between the use of antibiotics on livestock and a "superbug" affecting people and animals alike. On this side of the Atlantic, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health released a report about the rise of drug-resistant bacteria directly linked to what gets pumped into the bloodstream of our livestock.Antibiotics are so commonly used in conventional cattle because of overcrowding which can allow disease to spread rapidly. They are also mixed with feed to promote growth. Some of these antibiotics are the same medications given to humans which further diminishes their effectiveness for us. The CDC found that the need for so many antibodies lessens when conditions are sanitary.
These studies are great arguments for organic, free range cattle (and also vegetarianism as someone is bound to point out in the comments). American eating culture is not going to change overnight. There is no way the entire country is going to give up their hamburgers without struggle. However, moving to smarter, cleaner ways to raising cattle is the best answer.
If you would like to read more about conventional farming and its effect on humans, read Patrick's post about recent findings from the Pew Charitable Trust.
No comments:
Post a Comment