From: Carol and Jim Reed [cjreed@texas.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 10:37 PM
To: EXECSEC
Subject: Antibiotic Use Database

10 January 2001
5802 Harrington Cove
Austin, TX  78731

Commissioner Jane Henney, M.D.
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD  20857

Re: Antibiotic Use Database

Dear Commissioner Henney:

I am writing to strongly urge the establishment of a Database for Antibiotic
Use in the production of animal, poultry, and fish foodstuffs for human
consumption. 

The decrease in the effectiveness of antibiotics for treatment of human
health problems is now alarming. Antibiotic use in food production has
become pervasive. Antibiotic-resistant organisms are appearing and human
diseases may soon appear that will be untreatable. 

A most important first step to characterize the situation of antibiotics is
to establish sound data for the amounts and their uses. This is exactly the
type
of work that the FDA should be doing.  I sincerely urge you to establish a
reporting system so that antibiotics use in US agriculture may be
determined and characterized. It is past time.

I hope that we will hear that this important first step to develop knowledge
about this important health issue indeed began in the year 2001. 

Your response to this email will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

James S. Reed