ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics
are no longer as effective as they used to be. When you take too many
antibiotics or do not take them correctly, you can create “super bug”. These
bacteria are known as being “resistant”. This means that antibiotics cannot
kill the bacteria. These resistant bacteria can spread and infect people around
us.
MRSAC (methicillin –resistant staphylococcus
aureus). The MRSA is a good example of “super bug” that is killing people.
These bacteria are able to fight off antibiotics because they have built up a
resistance by being exposed to low levels of antibiotics over a long period of
time. They can even multiply to produce more bacteria that will not respond to
antibiotics.
Everyday
Exposure to Antibiotics
Antibiotics
are prescription medicines. No one should take antibiotics without the approval
of a medical professional. However, consumers are taking small amounts of
antibiotics everyday without realizing it.
Antibiotics
in Meat
We must
remember that antibiotics are not just used by people. They are mixed with food
to feed livestock. In the early 1950’s farmers discovered that adding
antibiotics in animals’ foods made the animals grow bigger and faster. Many
studies confirmed that antibiotics fed to livestock show up in the meat. And
then we eat that meat.
Antibiotics
in Vegetables
Antibiotics
can also be found in vegetables and fruits. The U.S department of Agriculture
funded a study to test this. Scientist took manure from animals that were given
antibiotics. They grew different plants in the manure and then tested its
leaves. What they found was alarming.
1. The
antibiotics was present in fruits, vegetables as well as the vegetable leaves.
2. The
amount of antibiotics in the plant was directly related to the amount in the
soil
3. The plants
absorbed antibiotics in the soil as it grew.
4. Crops
that grow underground might absorb even more antibiotics from the soil.
Examples of such crops include potatoes and carrots.
Antibiotics in Water
