Debunking the Bunk

PBS Frontline recently aired an episode themed "The Trouble with Antibiotics," which focused on the use of antibiotics on farms. It was an informational segment that was difficult for me to watch without cringing in distress. Throughout the film there were parts in which I found disagreement. And with a little bit of research, my argument is worth mentioning.

Within minutes of the film beginning, it claims that 70 percent of antibiotics produced in the United States today are sold to farms for the use in animal agriculture. According to the Animal Health Institute, this statement is one of contradiction. "The 70 percent figure was deduced from comparing two sets of data that are not comparable. The number for animal use collectively used a whole different methodology than the estimate presented for human use. The first rule learned in Statistics 101 is if the data sets measure different universes in different ways, the data cannot be compared." I couldn't agree more. How can one assume the high percentage when the data doesn't coincide.

AHI also kindly informs us of some other facts that REALLY portray the myth. "In addition, 35 percent of the use attributed to animals are compounds not used in human medicine, thus having no potential for reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human disease. The 35 percent is included by others only to inflate the animal use number and mislead readers."

Another debunkle. The film quite openly portrays that antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics. According to Richard Raymond, MD, former Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, "Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. the CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate."

So there you have it. Antibiotic resistance caused by animal agriculture? I think not.

“Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate.” - See more at: http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf

“Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate.” - See more at: http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf

Antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more at: http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf

Antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more at: http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf

Antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more at: http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf