Health
Antibiotics

Stop the use of antibiotics in factory farms

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Gmail Peter Burgess
Sign the petition: No more antibiotics in factory farms
1 message
Dr. Mark Hyman via CREDO Mobilize
Mon, Aug 4, 2014 at 9:17 AM
Reply-To: 'Dr. Mark Hyman via CREDO Mobilize'
To: Peter Burgess

The email below is from Dr. Mark Hyman, a doctor and health advisor to Bill and Hillary Clinton, who practices in Lenox, Massachusetts. Mark started a petition on CREDO Mobilize, where activists can launch their own campaigns for progressive change. Will you help Mark pressure Republicans in the U.S. House to pass critical legislation to stop the overuse of antibiotics in factory farms by signing his petition and sharing it with your friends and family?

CREDO Mobilize

Tell Congressional Republicans: Stop the use of antibiotics in factory farms

Dear Peter,

Each year, two million Americans are infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. More than 23,000 of them die.

That's because 80% of all antibiotics in the United States are used to raise meat for human consumption. This has led to the rise of so-called 'superbugs' -- human diseases that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. The overuse of antibiotics in factory farms is one of the most serious public health issues facing our country today.

It's time Congress puts the health and safety of Americans before the profits of 'Big Food.' That's why I started my own campaign on CREDOMobilize.com, which allows activists to start their own petitions. My petition, which is to the Republicans in the U.S. House, says the following:

The gross overuse of antibiotics on factory farms has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs,' sickening millions and even killing many Americans every year. We urge you to pass critical legislation to prevent antibiotic resistance and protect our public health.

Tell Republicans in Congress: Pass legislation to stop the overuse of antibiotics in factory farms.

There’s no debate on this; in fact, it’s something the scientific community has known for decades: this steady stream of antibiotics used in factory farming is a major contributor to the significant rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

In my practice and in doctors offices across the country, antibiotic treatments are becoming less and less effective. In fact, nearly every major medical organization has called for ending the use of antibiotics in large-scale livestock production.

Two important bills to protect Americans from this public health catastrophe have been introduced in Congress, but Republican members of the U.S. House, beholden to the most powerful food lobbyists and corporations like Monsanto, Tysons, Dow Chemical, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, won't allow a vote on these critical bills.

These two pieces of legislation -- the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) and the Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (PARA) -- would stem the use of antibiotic treatment in factory farms and help prevent the problem from getting even worse.

Congress must take meaningful action now to stop the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria before it's too late.

Will you join me and add your name to my petition urging congressional Republicans to protect Americans from antibiotic-resistant superbugs?

Thank you for your support.

Dr. Mark Hyman

CREDO Mobilize helps activists like you make progressive change and fight regressive policies by creating online petitions. Click here to start a petition today.

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