1. Some definitions: What is ‘industrial animal agriculture’, and what are its properties? What are zoonoses?
Industrial animal agriculture is a modern form of intensive farming that uses intensive production lines and is designed to produce the highest output at the lowest cost. Industrial farms use new technology which provides them with high mechanisation, speed in production and low labour requirements. The animals in industrial farms are kept usually indoors with extremely restricted mobility. Battery cages for laying hens and veal crates are just some of many examples of industrial farming. (Garces & Nierenberg, 2005)
Zoonoses are any diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Some examples of zoonoses are : Avian Flu, Nipah Virus.(Graces et. al.,2005)
2. What are the main concerns for human health arising from industrial agriculture?
Firstly industrial framings produce large amounts of manure that pollutes water and air. This pollution may cause many human diseases for example ‘blue baby syndrome’ or E.Coli poisoning. Secondly, the animals in some industrial farms are fed with antibiotics to promote growth and prevent diseases. This was also proven to be a danger for humans as widespread use of antibiotics results in breading super pathogens (drug resistant bacteria).Besides antibiotics there are also other toxic substances which are used to feed the animals on these farms. These toxins may be contaminated in animal tissues and they create the risk for people who consume them. There are also indirect effects caused by these farms. As meat from industrial farms is reasonably cheap it is supplied to many fast food restaurants. As more and more restaurants of this type come to be in the market more and more people are at risk of unhealthy dietary consequences such as heart diseases or obesity. (Graces et. al., 2005)
3. Why are undeveloped nations at greater risk for adverse health effect?
Undeveloped