To the editor: This text talked about the the reason why antimicrobial resistance emerges, together with the imprudent use of antibiotics by healthcare suppliers and sufferers alike (“‘Nightmare micro organism’ circumstances are rising within the U.S.,” Sept. 23). Nevertheless, it didn’t point out that animal agriculture is the main shopper of antibiotics — accounting for greater than 70% of all antibiotics used worldwide.
In the meantime, drug-resistant, NDM-producing micro organism are more and more being discovered in, and might simply unfold amongst, the billions of chickens, pigs and dairy cows which can be intensively farmed in extremely confined areas annually. These alarming tendencies are but one more reason we have to transfer towards a whole-food, plant-based weight-reduction plan and away from a meat- and dairy-centered weight-reduction plan. If the demand for animal merchandise decreases, not solely would the huge breeding grounds for these dangerous micro organism be diminished, however human, animal and planetary well being would solely enhance.
Christine Goodreau, Los Angeles