From: howard@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition
Subject: Re: Re:Vegetarian diets
Date: 28 Sep 92 10:10:03 -0500
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Sep27.194216.15908@inmet.camb.inmet.com>, mazur@inmet.camb.inmet.com (Beth Mazur) writes:
> In <1992Sep25.164313.7088@iscsvax.uni.edu> howard@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
>>I'm a vegetarian (vegan) partly for this reason. The risks of missing
>>some "unknown nutrient" in meat versus being sure of not consuming 
>>antibiotics and hormones in meat products seems minimal. And yes, I 
>>do take a B12 supplement. 
> 
> Do you worry about the pesticides and fertilizers used to grow your
> fruits, veggies, and grains?  

> I am not anti-veggie, and I agree with any diet that pushes fruits,
> veggies, whole grains, and reduced fat intake.  But isn't trying to find
> safe veggies and fruits (by growing your own or buying organic) just as 
> hard as getting safe meat?

It is not that difficult to find organic produce where I live (Iowa City). 
There is a large food cooperative with organic fruits and vegetables, 
organic coffee, soymilk, flour, oatmeal, and beans, so it is not a problem. 
I do agree that the use of less chemicals in farming should be encouraged. 
I also buy directly from some local vegetable farmers who do not use
chemicals- something someone in a non-rural state would have more difficulty
doing. 

My concern is not so much about the improper handling of meat in 
packing plants. Improper meat handling can be a problem, but I personally
do not believe it is a widespread abuse, since I have met and talked
to people who work in these plants in Iowa, and they generally indicate
that standards are good (I don't know about other states, however). 
My concern is about the increased use of antibiotics and hormones given
to livestock during their lives. The use of antibiotics has come about
with the trend to keep livestock inside in pens for most of their lives, 
in very large numbers. For example, one farm in Peoria has 500,000 hogs, 
including 25,000 pregnant sows, at any one time. There are 15.8 million
hogs in Iowa (and only about 1 million people), and yet, you can drive
for miles and never see them- just these low-lying buildings. Since the 
animals are so close together, antibiotics are given to ward off disease. 
But this large use of antibiotics may have effects on the health of humans who 
are eating meat- since they may become more tolerant to the effects of
antibiotics, and thus antibiotics given in cases of illness may not 
be as effective. I understand this is especially a concern in AIDS patients
whose immune system is damaged. 

Hormones are given to increase the weight of an animal without giving 
it as much feed (a less expensive way to get the animal to gain weight). 
The adverse effects of athletes taking hormones has been documented, and
I'm especially concerned about its effects on women in child-bearing age
or before. 

The use of antibiotics and hormones has risen substantially in the 
last 10-15 years, as I understand it, to the point where now it it 
common practice. Man may have evolved as a meat-eater, but the meat 
he consumed then was raised on grass and other grains. I find the use
of antibiotics and hormones to be alarming, and something that deserves
attention by nutritionists. 

Let me say that I have a more moderate position than some extremists. 
I think that there will always be livestock production, and so I am 
not opposed to family farmers who keep livestock. But I am opposed to 
big companies who do not treat their animals well and may actually 
be jeapordizing the health of the meat-eating consumer. 

-Mary Howard
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition