Top Scientists to Brief Reporters on Causes, Cures to Antibiotic Resistance
Contact: Rich Hayes or Paul Fain, 202-332-0900,
Union of Concerned Scientists
Until recently, a storehouse of antibiotics could fight off most infections from bacteria. But the overuse of antibiotics by doctors and veterinarians has created dangerous strains of bacteria resistant to these once-powerful drugs.
Many Americans are unaware that a major contributor to this problem is industrial livestock production, where cows, pigs and chickens are fed antibiotics to fatten them for the meat case. How did we get this far? Could your next burger or chicken wing be laced with untreatable bacteria? Who's susceptible? Can producers raise livestock without antibiotics? Will the U.S. follow Europe's lead and ban livestock-fattening antibiotics also prescribed as human drugs?
Several of the world's top experts on antibiotic resistance will answer these questions, delve deeply into the roots of this health crisis, and examine upcoming opportunities to salvage these important drugs to treat disease in humans and animals.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon, Friday, June 4
WHAT: "Antibiotic Resistance: Causes and Cures"
10 a.m. -- "Antibiotic Resistance, Human Medicine and Food Production," Frederick J. Angulo, D.V.M., Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mark S. Honeyman, Ph.D., Iowa State University; Glenn Morris, M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine.
11 a.m. -- "Solutions to Antibiotic Resistance in the U.S. and Europe," Margaret Mellon, Ph.D., J.D., Union of Concerned Scientists; Wolfgang Witte, Robert Koch Institute, Germany.
WHERE: National Press Club
Zenger Room
529 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
NOTE: Fruit, muffins and beverages will be served.
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/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
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