From: EXECSEC Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 3:14 AM To: Dockets, FDA Subject: FW: End Use of Human Antibiotics in Livestock Feed ---------- From: Henney, Jane Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 3:14:00 AM To: EXECSEC Subject: FW: End Use of Human Antibiotics in Livestock Feed Auto forwarded by a Rule ---------- From: lcmartinek@aol.com[SMTP:LCMARTINEK@AOL.COM] Sent: Monday, March 12, 2001 3:15:08 AM To: jhenney@oc.fda.gov Cc: lcmartinek@aol.com Subject: End Use of Human Antibiotics in Livestock Feed Auto forwarded by a Rule Linda Martinek 2402 Bryan Avenue Venice, CA 90291 lcmartinek@aol.com Dear Dr. Henney, As a mother, in particular, I am writing in support of Petition 99P-0485 to urge you to ban medically useful antibiotics from livestock feed. The argument I find particularly compelling in my mind, is that doctors are telling us that we shouldn't abuse antibiotics for the average cold & flu because they will become and are becoming less effective. And personally, I want to keep them effective so that when my son, Elijah, gets an ear infection, which happens every 4 months, or so, he will find a quick and painless remedy. Just like I did, when I was a child and got ear infections quite regularly. For decades, livestock producers have fed human antibiotics to hogs, cows and poultry to speed their growth or counteract the effects of crowded living conditions and poor hygiene. In fact, about one third of the antibiotics manufactured in the United States each year ends up in animal feed. Mounting evidence has proven that the overuse of antibiotics for livestock makes the drugs less effective for humans. And, if we can't abuse them, why should cows get the chance? Scientists, health organizations and governments around the world are urging that antibiotics not be squandered on fattening livestock. The World Health Organization recommended that antibiotics used to treat humans not be used to promote animal growth. The GAO reported that "research has linked three diseases with antibiotic-resistant strains affecting humans to the use of antibiotics in animals;" and the European Union has already banned human antibiotics in animal feed. I urge you not to allow an antibiotic to be used in livestock feed if that antibiotic is used in human medicine. Please tell me how you plan to address this looming health crisis. Sincerely, Linda Martinek