Factory farms have long been searching for various methods to optimize the production process as the competition continues to be severe. Only a few thousand large factory farms can enjoy all the benefits of economies of scale. The current approach to food production has serious drawbacks and leads to unexpected health issues nationwide, as huge factory farms tend to use large quantities of antibiotics as a means to maximize output.
In 1928 a Scottish biologist discovered penicillin, a mold-based compound that could kill microbes causing notorious diseases. Since then, various health organizations have advocated for the wide use of antibiotics not only in hospitals but also on farms. Agricultural holdings soon mastered the technology and began to outperform small businesses, as the use of antibiotics allowed the farms to keep more chickens in one place without many risks.
A dedicated analysis is needed to realize what can go wrong with preventing the spread of diseases on factory farms with the help of antibiotics. Physicians tend to prescribe this highly effective type of drug only if a person experiences serious symptoms and his immune system does not seem to cope with the challenge. At the same time, many farms use insurmountable amounts of antibiotics, which helps microbes evolve faster and develop genes that can resist certain types of drugs (Philpott). Thus, people may eventually suffer from a much more powerful type of virus. It is crucial to realize that antibiotics are used on factory farms not entirely for health reasons. The use of these drugs has proven to be efficient for muscle growth, increasing a business’s profitability.
Nevertheless, many customers nowadays tend to realize all the negative consequences of abundant drug use on factory farms and opt for organic products. Moreover, some meat producers have already reconsidered the efficiency and sustainability of antibiotics recently. Factory farms should reconsider the use of antibiotics and allocate resources to develop safer alternatives to meet the growing demand for healthier products.
Works Cited
Philpott, Tom. “How Factory Farms Play Chicken with Antibiotics.” Mother Jones, 2016, Web.