Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World EatsIn this eye-opening exposé, acclaimed health journalist and National Geographic contributor Maryn McKenna documents how antibiotics transformed chicken from local delicacy to industrial commodity—and human health threat—uncovering the ways we can make America's favorite meat safer again. What you eat matters—for your health, for the environment, and for future generations. In this riveting investigative narrative, McKenna dives deep into the world of modern agriculture by way of chicken: from the farm where it's raised directly to your dinner table. Consumed more than any other meat in the United States, chicken is emblematic of today's mass food-processing practices and their profound influence on our lives and health. Tracing its meteoric rise from scarce treat to ubiquitous global commodity, McKenna reveals the astounding role of antibiotics in industrial farming, documenting how and why "wonder drugs" revolutionized the way the world eats—and not necessarily for the better. Rich with scientific, historical, and cultural insights, this spellbinding cautionary tale shines a light on one of America's favorite foods—and shows us the way to safer, healthier eating for ourselves and our children. In August 2019 this book will be published in paperback with the title Plucked: Chicken, Antibiotics, and How Big Business Changed the Way the World Eats. |
Contents
Prologue | 9 |
Illness and a Bad Year | 17 |
Better Living Through Chemistry | 33 |
Meat for the Price of Bread | 55 |
Resistance Begins | 75 |
Proving the Problem | 101 |
Epidemics as Evidence | 125 |
The Triumph of the Hybrids | 149 |
Choosing Cooperation | 227 |
The View From the Barn | 245 |
The Market Speaks | 263 |
The Past Creates the Future | 285 |
Epilogue | 309 |
Acknowledgments | 317 |
Notes | 323 |
Bibliography | 347 |
Other editions - View all
Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern ... Maryn McKenna Limited preview - 2017 |
Big Chicken: The Story of How Antibiotics Transformed Modern Farming and ... Maryn McKenna No preview available - 2017 |
Common terms and phrases
Administration agriculture allowed already American animals antibiotic resistance antibiotics Antimicrobial asked bacteria barns become began birds broilers called carried caused Center chicken chicks coli Control created decades Department developed disease doses drugs effect eggs emergency epidemic Escherichia coli et al experiment farm farmers feed Food foodborne Foster Farms four genes going grow growth promoters happened Health hospital human industry infections Journal Jukes keep killed Label later lives looked March meat medicine million months move needed never once organisms outbreak patients penicillin percent pigs plant possible poultry pounds Prevention problem production protect raised received Report researchers resistance risk Salmonella scientists sick slaughter sold spread strains told turkey turn United University wanted weeks White