Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Essay -- Antibiotics Pills Essays

Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Introduction There are many issues that producers face in their practices today. One of these issues concerns the widely accepted use of antibiotics in livestock feeds. There are benefits and risks associated with this use. These issues impact not only the animal industry; the repercussions are seen on a much larger scale in the general public. This paper will give an overview of both the pros and cons of this issue. Background Antibiotics have been approved for use in livestock feed for over 30 years. This includes a variety of different antibiotics that are added to the feed at sub-therapeutic levels. There are strict guidelines that limit the amount of antibiotic to no more that 200 grams per ton of feed. Each antibiotic also has a minimum and/or maximum amount set. Antibiotics are widely used in all areas of the animal industry. They are most prevalent in swine, poultry and beef rations. PRO Antibiotics are invaluable to the producer. There have been numerous studies that show growth promotion and increased feed efficiency (a.k.a.: nutrient conversion) are achieved by using antibiotics in the feed. All industries can benefit from antibiotic use. For example, 100% of poultry producers add antibiotics to their rations for increased feed efficiency in growers and increased egg production in layer hens. Feedlot cattle are fed antibiotics to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses - a major money loss at slaughter. There are many who argue that the practice of including antibiotics in feed leads to drug resistant bacteria. The research done on this topic is inconclusive. Some producers are trying to get around this problem. These producers implement a gradient-feeding regime... ...uperbugs on the hoof? Science. 2000 May 5:288(5467):792-4 Hayes, D. J., H. H. Jensen, L. Backstrom, J. Fabiosa. Economic Impact of a Ban on the Use of Over-the-Counter Antibiotics in Swine Rations. 1999. Staff Report 99SR90 Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Hoogkamp-Korstanje, JA. 1999. Ned Tijdschr. Geneeskd. (translation). PubMed abstract Houndt, T., H. Ochman. Long-Term Shifts in Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance in Enteric Bacteria. Appl.Environ. Microbiol. Dec 2000 V.66:5406 Jurgens, Marshall. 1997. Animal Feeding and Nutrition, 8th Edition. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co. Kamphues, J. 1999. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wonchensch. (translation). PubMed abstract. Tollefson, L., M. A. Miller, Antibiotic use in Food Animals: Controlling the Human Health Impact. J. AOAC Int. 2000 March/April; 83(2):245-254 Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Essay -- Antibiotics Pills Essays Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Introduction There are many issues that producers face in their practices today. One of these issues concerns the widely accepted use of antibiotics in livestock feeds. There are benefits and risks associated with this use. These issues impact not only the animal industry; the repercussions are seen on a much larger scale in the general public. This paper will give an overview of both the pros and cons of this issue. Background Antibiotics have been approved for use in livestock feed for over 30 years. This includes a variety of different antibiotics that are added to the feed at sub-therapeutic levels. There are strict guidelines that limit the amount of antibiotic to no more that 200 grams per ton of feed. Each antibiotic also has a minimum and/or maximum amount set. Antibiotics are widely used in all areas of the animal industry. They are most prevalent in swine, poultry and beef rations. PRO Antibiotics are invaluable to the producer. There have been numerous studies that show growth promotion and increased feed efficiency (a.k.a.: nutrient conversion) are achieved by using antibiotics in the feed. All industries can benefit from antibiotic use. For example, 100% of poultry producers add antibiotics to their rations for increased feed efficiency in growers and increased egg production in layer hens. Feedlot cattle are fed antibiotics to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses - a major money loss at slaughter. There are many who argue that the practice of including antibiotics in feed leads to drug resistant bacteria. The research done on this topic is inconclusive. Some producers are trying to get around this problem. These producers implement a gradient-feeding regime... ...uperbugs on the hoof? Science. 2000 May 5:288(5467):792-4 Hayes, D. J., H. H. Jensen, L. Backstrom, J. Fabiosa. Economic Impact of a Ban on the Use of Over-the-Counter Antibiotics in Swine Rations. 1999. Staff Report 99SR90 Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Hoogkamp-Korstanje, JA. 1999. Ned Tijdschr. Geneeskd. (translation). PubMed abstract Houndt, T., H. Ochman. Long-Term Shifts in Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance in Enteric Bacteria. Appl.Environ. Microbiol. Dec 2000 V.66:5406 Jurgens, Marshall. 1997. Animal Feeding and Nutrition, 8th Edition. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co. Kamphues, J. 1999. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wonchensch. (translation). PubMed abstract. Tollefson, L., M. A. Miller, Antibiotic use in Food Animals: Controlling the Human Health Impact. J. AOAC Int. 2000 March/April; 83(2):245-254