Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria inherit a gene that allows them to survive exposure to certain antibiotics. These microorganisms can obtain the antibiotic-resistant genes through a few different evolutionary mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer and mutation.

The continued existence of certain microorganisms containing a gene that enables them to survive leads to the selection of this antibiotic-resistant trait.

This occurs simply because the organisms that are not resistant are dying and the resistant ones are surviving passing on their beneficial gene.

Routine use of antibiotics in farm animals to boost meat yield and compensate for stressful, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on factory farms puts both the animals and humans at serious health risk.

In 1998, the National Academy of Sciences reported that an estimated 19 million pounds of antibiotics are added to water and food to promote growth and prevent the spread of disease among livestock living in close quarters.

Through overexposure to antibacterial agents, bacteria is selecting for resistance and thus becoming more difficult to treat when an actual infection happens.

These resistant bacteria can be spread to humans and cause unbeatable infections. For example, evidence of MRSA, a bacterium responsible for numerous troublesome infections, can be found in the nation’s meat supply.

Through handling and consuming this meat, scientists are discovering that Americans might be acquiring deadly drug-resistant forms of MRSA that coincidentally are not found on antibiotic-free farms.

The bottom line is that consumers must educate themselves on what they are eating and how it can affect them and the human population.

Margaret Marciniak, __zoology senior_