Antibiotics again

As we continue the eternal discussion and debate of antibiotic use in animals and humans, not the quote from this article as Brazil struggles against an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that sadly is killing people in hospitals there. There is a similar outbreak in the US, and I have included many article links for you to read. However, nowhere in the article do they blame the outbreak on the use of antibiotics in animal feed. Not because this is a pro-animal news source, no, this is because it is a minor ingredient in the pot of issues that is brewing up trouble for the medical world. If the small use of antibiotics in feedstuffs for animals was the problem, then the antibiotic-resistant bugs would not be reported originating in patients traveling from the Middle-east and Asia. These are not countries known for heavy use of antibiotics in livestock. No, this is a far-reaching case of antibiotic abuse in people in countries with weak regulations on antibiotic access. Brazil was even selling them without prescriptions and here in the US they're free.

Corn harvesting?

It does seem a bit early doesn't it? However, John in his blog says that they started out his direction this weekend. I hope that turns out to be a good thing, but I can't imagine this heat's a good thing. And then just read the first line of this article and pretend to be surprised. What, you didn't expect to hear that?



Meanwhile, we've signed a new deal to collaborate with Israel to research food production. Frankly, I can't think of a better place to working with to research food production. They're exporting out a desert, anyone else think they might know a few things about growing excess food to feed people with limited resources? And let's face it, we're all going to have limited resources eventually. Even Michigan... sorry guys, but you know it's true. I would link you to the release about the agreement, or to the article discussing the linkage between Zinc deficiency and pneumonia, but the ARS website just doesn't seem to be working tonight. You'll have to look for those yourself.

Anyhow, I'm off for the night and back to work tomorrow after finally having to concede a sick day on Friday.