Why should we care about the subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture?
A. The subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture is unnecessary. Although advocates of this practice contend it is necessary to satisfy the ever-growing demand for eggs, meat, and milk, the subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture mainly serves to compensate for improper animal husbandry techniques, like the use of confined and unsanitary living conditions, and the feeding of an unnatural diet to the animal populations. Animal meat is a source for food-borne illnesses, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The subtherapeutic use of antibiotics is producing more resistant strains of these illnesses, prompting grave human health concerns.
