IN recent years, the increased use of antibiotics in chicken farming, and pes-ticides in agriculture has raised concerns about their impact on human health, animal welfare, and the environment. While these substances are commonly used to increase production and prevent diseases, their hidden dangers include serious risks that need to be thoroughly examined.

As a matter of fact, antibiotics are commonly used in chicken farming to treat infections and promote weight-gain. However, their excessive use creates some worrisome and dangerous issues that have proven extremely harmful.

As such, the biggest health risk is the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as ‘superbugs’. Antibiotics used in animal farming can enter the environment through animal waste. This can contaminate soil, water sources and crops, leading to the further spread of resistant bacteria.

Alarmingly, these resistant bacteria can reach humans through contaminated meat, direct contact with animals, or the environment, such as runoff from farms. Infections caused by resistant bacteria are harder to treat, require longer hospital stays, and can result in higher mortality rates.

If not properly regulated, antibiotic residues can remain in meat products. Some people may be allergic to these antibiotic residues. Allergic reactions in humans can range from mild skin irrit-ation to severe anaphylactic shock, posing immediate health risks to sensitive individuals.

The consumption of antibiotic-treated food can also disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to digestive issues, reduced immune function, and possibly contributing to conditions, such as obesity and metabolic disorders.

Moreover, the excessive use of certain antibiotics in farming is contributing to the decreased effectiveness of these drugs in treating human diseases, limiting the options available for treating illnesses. The lack of effective antibiotics increases the risk of treatment failure, longer illness duration, and the spread of infections. This threat could potentially lead to a return to an era where common infections as well as minor surgeries could become life-threatening.

Besides, pesticides are commonly used in agriculture to protect crops from harmful pests and diseases. However, their misuse or overuse can have further harmful effects on both health and the environment.

The misuse or overuse of pesticides can spread into the environment, contamin-ating air, water, and soil. This can pose threats to wildlife and humans, such as the destruction of aquatic life in contaminated water bodies, reduced soil fertility, and the killing of beneficial organisms that help maintain the balance of the agricu-ltural ecosystem.

Pesticide residues can remain in crops and food, leading to human exposure. This can cause various health complications, including ulcers, cancer, neurological diseases, and other serious problems.

Apart from this, the presence of these pesticides in the environment, particularly when they reach water sources, poses health risks to humans, including the potential for birth defects in children born to mothers who consume contaminated water.

On the other hand, the overuse of pesticides can weaken natural resistance to diseases, increasing the risk of disease spread among humans. Exposure to certain pesticides can weaken the immune system, affecting the body’s natural defence mechanism against diseases.

Without proper regulation and control, these risks could become even more severe in the future, necessitating strong policies for public health and environmental protection.

Through such policies and measures, we can make farming and agricultural prac-tices healthier and environment-friendly, ensuring the safety and health of the public.

Nadeem Memon
Larkana

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2024