LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Antibiotics: Drugs
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Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to restrict the use of antibiotics in animals based upon the potential risk to human health. Historically, concerns about human safety with new agricultural antibiotics focused primarily on ensuring that drug residues in food were safe for human consumption. Now, the FDA plans to extend authority to cover the indirect risks to human health caused by the loss of drugs due to resistance.
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Most antibiotics act by selectively interfering with the synthesis of one of the large-molecule constituents of the cell—the cell wall or proteins or nucleic acids. Some... act by disrupting the cell membrane (see Cell Death and Growth Suppression below). Some important and clinically useful drugs interfere with the synthesis of peptidoglycan, the most important component of the cell wall. These drugs include the Β-lactam antibiotics, which are classified according to chemical structure into penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. All these antibiotics contain a Β-lactam ring as a critical part of their chemical structure, and they inhibit synthesis of peptidoglycan, an essential part of the cell wall. They do not interfere with the synthesis of other intracellular components.
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This September 2001 report from the World Health Organization blames a combination of factors for the worldwide upswing in resistance to antibiotics, including widespread overuse and misuse. As for the use of antibiotics in food animals, the authors say that "inefficient and inadequately enforced regulatory mechanisms regarding antimicrobial supply contribute to excessive and inappropriate drug use." The authors observe that the incidence of antibiotic-resistant campylobacter in live poultry has increased dramatically, and that resistant strains of salmonella have been detected in several countries worldwide. Earlier, in June 2000, the WHO released a major report titled "Overcoming Microbial Resistance." Here is the press release for that report, along with audio links to expert opinions about the report's findings.
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Not since the discovery of antibiotics has the scientific community been so excited about a new frontier. Stem cell research now has the potential to yield invaluable findings in the areas of cell and tissue regeneration and disease therapy. In addition, human stem cells may hold promise for testing new drugs and could yield information about the complexities of human development. Now with US and international collaboration, recognizing the potential and promise of stem cell research seems closer than ever. Source (http://interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st/sn/02250000aaa063fc.prn&Sys=siteia&Fid=PUBLISHI&Type=News&Filter=Publishing)
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Meat producers have fed growth-promoting antibiotics to food animals for years. Recently, scientists have raised concerns that, in conjunction with the general overuse of antibiotics in humans, this use of "sub-therapeutic" levels of antibiotics in food animals may lead to serious health risks for people. Banning the use of such drugs... would greatly reduce the efficiency of the industry, driving up the cost of meat. Some in the industry believe that the scientific evidence linking low-dose usage of antibiotics to drug-resistant illnesses in people is too inconclusive and does not justify banning their use. Here's a look at the controversy, plus links to more information.
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The new classification of quinolone antibiotics takes into account the expanded antimicrobial spectrum of the newer fluoroquinolones and their clinical indications (Tables 11,5-7,9,11-13,19 and 220). Introduced in 1997, this classification is a useful tool for physicians to use when empirically prescribing these drugs or evaluating new agents introduced to the market.1 Drugs in each group are similar in antimicrobial activity. With each successive generation, a significant new group of pathogens is added to the coverage.
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