3 items that are interesting:
Eliminating antibiotics may not discourage resistance
Eliminating antibiotic drugs from food-animal production may have little positive effect on resistant bacteria that threaten health, according to the Institute of Food Technologists. The group stated that prior human exposure to antibiotics is the greatest factor for acquiring an infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Eliminating antibiotics promoting animal growth in Europe has actually resulted in increased disease among the animals and more therapeutic applications of antibiotics on resistant bacteria. It has not been shown to reduce the prevalence of some antibiotic-resistant strains affecting human medicine, but resistance increased among some pathogens.
Finally, some positive news on the use of antibiotics in food animals. The more research that is completed, the more scientists are finding that humans are largely responsible for their own antibiotic resistance. In an additional report on the use of antimicrobials in food production, the Institute of Food Technologists noted that consumers' increased preference for minimally processed foods may be affecting the survival of resistant bacteria. — G.H.
Minimum livestock production practices proposed
Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., introduced legislation this week that would dictate that the federal government's food programs could only purchase products from animals that receive:
Adequate shelter, which would require enough room for animals to stand, lie down, walk, move their heads freely, turn around completely and fully extend their limbs or wings without touching any part of an enclosure.
Daily access to food and water; no "forced feeding or feed withdrawal" practices.
Veterinary care, including prompt treatment or humane euthanasia for sick or injured animals.
Some of the government's food programs include school lunches, prisons and the military.
Let's propose some minimum requirements for all politicians:
Anyone seeking national office spend at least two years in a work study program, which would include at least two months working on a farm or ranch, two months working construction and two months as a maintenance worker such as janitor, garbage collector, etc.
Anyone seeking national office spend at least one year doing community service work, such as serving the homeless in a soup kitchen, or building houses with Habitat for Humanity.
A little time spent in the real world might provide some useful insight for lawmakers. — G.H.
Bush signs executive order limiting property seizure
On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to expand the government's ability to use eminent domain to seize property in Kelo v. the City of New London, President Bush issued an executive order limiting federal agencies from seizing private property except for public projects like roads, hospitals and utilities. Bush directed the attorney general to ensure all federal agencies follow the policy. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, 31 states have passed laws restricting the use of eminent domain.
Eliminating antibiotics may not discourage resistance
Eliminating antibiotic drugs from food-animal production may have little positive effect on resistant bacteria that threaten health, according to the Institute of Food Technologists. The group stated that prior human exposure to antibiotics is the greatest factor for acquiring an infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Eliminating antibiotics promoting animal growth in Europe has actually resulted in increased disease among the animals and more therapeutic applications of antibiotics on resistant bacteria. It has not been shown to reduce the prevalence of some antibiotic-resistant strains affecting human medicine, but resistance increased among some pathogens.
Finally, some positive news on the use of antibiotics in food animals. The more research that is completed, the more scientists are finding that humans are largely responsible for their own antibiotic resistance. In an additional report on the use of antimicrobials in food production, the Institute of Food Technologists noted that consumers' increased preference for minimally processed foods may be affecting the survival of resistant bacteria. — G.H.
Minimum livestock production practices proposed
Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., introduced legislation this week that would dictate that the federal government's food programs could only purchase products from animals that receive:
Adequate shelter, which would require enough room for animals to stand, lie down, walk, move their heads freely, turn around completely and fully extend their limbs or wings without touching any part of an enclosure.
Daily access to food and water; no "forced feeding or feed withdrawal" practices.
Veterinary care, including prompt treatment or humane euthanasia for sick or injured animals.
Some of the government's food programs include school lunches, prisons and the military.
Let's propose some minimum requirements for all politicians:
Anyone seeking national office spend at least two years in a work study program, which would include at least two months working on a farm or ranch, two months working construction and two months as a maintenance worker such as janitor, garbage collector, etc.
Anyone seeking national office spend at least one year doing community service work, such as serving the homeless in a soup kitchen, or building houses with Habitat for Humanity.
A little time spent in the real world might provide some useful insight for lawmakers. — G.H.
Bush signs executive order limiting property seizure
On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to expand the government's ability to use eminent domain to seize property in Kelo v. the City of New London, President Bush issued an executive order limiting federal agencies from seizing private property except for public projects like roads, hospitals and utilities. Bush directed the attorney general to ensure all federal agencies follow the policy. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, 31 states have passed laws restricting the use of eminent domain.
