Comments on: Antibiotic-Free Pigs Carry More Pathogens, But is That a Bad Thing? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/ Quirky, funny, and surprising science news from the edge of the known universe. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:17:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Better Meat Through Bach: Classical Music Makes Piglets Less Stressed | Discoblog | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7408 Better Meat Through Bach: Classical Music Makes Piglets Less Stressed | Discoblog | Discover Magazine Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:21:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7408 [...] it happens, she says, happier pigs are good for humans. We’ve written on the problem of antibiotic overuse in livestock before, but pigs who play nice with one another get fewer injuries and need fewer [...] […] it happens, she says, happier pigs are good for humans. We’ve written on the problem of antibiotic overuse in livestock before, but pigs who play nice with one another get fewer injuries and need fewer […]

]]> By: johnk http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7404 johnk Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:57:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7404 in view of these substantial disease problems in the ag-industry, it simply amazes me that with AVAILABLE, cost-effective, ALL-NATURAL alternatives to antibiotics --- with demonstrated positive results, in test after test --- there is not a larger (total?) acceptance of these products. i readily admit that i am not an expert in this field ... so, i am looking for the "expert" to tell me why such products are not being used. (note: i have heard from many non-experts all of their speculation of why this is so. i thank them, in advance, but respectfully request that they not respond to this querry. i am interested in the factual answers from the "experts". not speculation). in view of these substantial disease problems in the ag-industry, it simply amazes me that with AVAILABLE, cost-effective, ALL-NATURAL alternatives to antibiotics — with demonstrated positive results, in test after test — there is not a larger (total?) acceptance of these products. i readily admit that i am not an expert in this field … so, i am looking for the “expert” to tell me why such products are not being used. (note: i have heard from many non-experts all of their speculation of why this is so. i thank them, in advance, but respectfully request that they not respond to this querry. i am interested in the factual answers from the “experts”. not speculation).

]]> By: Ricahrd http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7403 Ricahrd Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:44:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7403 Without getting into the argument of whether antibiotic resistance is worse than food poisoning or the reverse, or even if resistance in animal bacteria is a threat to humans the author's point regarding control contains very flawed logic. The point that cooking meat controls food poisoning is correct - but it is also prevents resistance transfer. Cooked salmonellae neither cause food poisoning, nor present any antimicrobial resistance hazard. As for Trichinella and other pathogens in the open environment, these may be an additional hazard from free-range food. They are controlled by housing the animals. In summary: The two farming scenarios are not equal. Cooking is always good and controls bacteria and any potential antibiotic resistance transfer. Food from non-housed animals may present additional risks over housed animals. Without getting into the argument of whether antibiotic resistance is worse than food poisoning or the reverse, or even if resistance in animal bacteria is a threat to humans the author’s point regarding control contains very flawed logic. The point that cooking meat controls food poisoning is correct - but it is also prevents resistance transfer. Cooked salmonellae neither cause food poisoning, nor present any antimicrobial resistance hazard.

As for Trichinella and other pathogens in the open environment, these may be an additional hazard from free-range food. They are controlled by housing the animals.

In summary: The two farming scenarios are not equal. Cooking is always good and controls bacteria and any potential antibiotic resistance transfer. Food from non-housed animals may present additional risks over housed animals.

]]> By: Kristina http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7402 Kristina Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:22:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/12/antibiotic-free-pigs-carry-more-pathogens-but-is-that-a-bad-thing/#comment-7402 This is absolutely true. Our society has become too obsessed with antibiotics and disinfection, overspraying our homes with Lysol and swallowing antibiotics for every minor illness. We are creating our own worse biological enemy. This is absolutely true. Our society has become too obsessed with antibiotics and disinfection, overspraying our homes with Lysol and swallowing antibiotics for every minor illness. We are creating our own worse biological enemy.

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