Question

why use antibiotics?
americas farmers are using increasing amounts of antibiotics - about 8
percent more every year. the drugs are usually used to treat infections in
livestock. however, 13 percent of antibiotics administered on farms in 2008
were fed to animals that were perfectly healthy. farmers and pharmaceutical
companies claim the drugs are used not only to kill germs. they also
accelerate growth, reducing feed expenses by as much as 30 percent. this
keeps meat costs low for consumers.
more sickness
while antibiotics may be beneficial to peoples budgets, theyre potentially
harmful to the people themselves. according to researchers, animals that are
given antibiotics frequently develop drug - resistant germs. these germs can
spread to farm workers with cuts or scrapes. they can also spread to
consumers who eat the meat.
antibiotic - resistant microorganisms generated in the guts of livestock dont
stay on the farm, said margaret mellon. mellon is the food and environment
director of the union of concerned scientists.
dont want to eat meat
with antibiotics?
now that you have read the article, indicate whether you
gree or disagree with this statement.
drugs should only be given to animals that are sick.
o agree
o disagree
explain why you voted the way you did. then read and
respond to what others have to say.

Explanation:

The article discusses the use of antibiotics in livestock. The statement "Drugs should only be given to animals that are sick" is related to the ethical and practical use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are over - used in livestock (as mentioned in the article, 8 percent are used to treat infections, but companies also use them to accelerate growth). If drugs are only given to sick animals, it can prevent the development of antibiotic - resistant microorganisms (as stated in the article, "antibiotic - resistant microorganisms generated in the guts of [livestock] don't stay on the farm"). This helps in reducing the spread of harmful germs to farm workers, consumers (who eat the meat), and the general public. It also aligns with the goal of using antibiotics more responsibly, as excessive use can lead to more sickness (as the article implies that over - use can create drug - resistant germs that are harmful to people).

Answer:

Agree. Antibiotics in livestock can spread resistant germs. Restricting to sick animals reduces this risk, protects public health (farm workers, consumers), and promotes responsible antibiotic use as over - use (e.g., for growth) is wasteful and dangerous.