As we keep feeding our livestock antibiotics, we are creating a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to untreatable ailments. Full Story »
Posted by Lynn Caporale - via Nicholas Kristof, New York Times (Most Emailed), New York Times (Opinion), Josh_Young (t), Umbreen Bhatti (t), Joey Baker (t), serbian models (t), Jon Mitchell (t), Rachel Fus (t), Wil Kristin (t), Donica Mensing (t), Marc Dangeard (t), George Moga (t)
Identifying clear solutions to significant problems (in this case, the spread of infections untreatable by antibiotics and the effect on medical costs), and the barriers that prevent implementing effective solutions (in this case, agribusiness lobbying) are an essential role of journalism. Today, Nicholas Kristof is one of the all too few journalists who plays this important role.
Louise Slaughter, the only microbiologist in the United States House of Representatives, has been fighting a lonely battle to curb this practice — but industrial agricultural interests have always blocked her legislation.
We need more microbiologists and other scientists in Congress.