The Union of Concerned Scientists conducted a study revealing that 24.6 million pounds of antibiotics are administered to farmed animals such as chickens and pigs, focusing solely on nontherapeutic applications. This significant use of antibiotics raises concerns regarding animal welfare and public health, particularly the risk of antibiotic resistance.

In "Eating Animals," Jonathan Safran Foer explores the ethical implications of factory farming practices, emphasizing how the extensive use of antibiotics in livestock not only affects the animals but also poses a threat to human health. The findings highlight the urgency for changes in agricultural practices to ensure safer and more humane treatment of animals.