BODYBUILDING CHICKEN

In Nowadays, many meat production companies use hormones and
antibiotics in their product. One of the most popular meats being injected with
hormones and antibiotics is chicken, which is one of the healthiest and highest in
protein meat. Taking advantage of consumer needs, big meat factories fill up all
the stores with hormone and antibiotic treated animals. Factories use chemicals
in chicken for financial reason; hormones and antibiotics can make chickens gain
weight faster. Factories have the advantage of raising chickens quicker, and
making profit at fast rate as well. However, according to the Health Department
hormone and antibiotic use in chicken is prohibited, but some companies still use
chemicals in their product. The Health department should increase the
inspections in farms around the country. Furthermore, it should improve the
inspections of imported chickens, and be stricter with the companies that do not
follow the laws. The Government should take into consideration the people
health. Hormones and antibiotics in chicken affect humans life.

HORMONES

Hormones are chemicals that are produced naturally in the bodies of all
animals. They are chemical messages released into the blood by hormone-
producing organs that travel to and affect different parts of the body. Hormones
may be produced in small amounts, but they control important body functions
such as growth, development and reproduction (Gandhi).
The newest founded hormone is Gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH),
which is a tropic peptide hormone responsible for the release of Follicle-
stimulating –hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing- hormone (LH) from the anterior
pituitary (DrugWeek Editors ). Furthermore, a female hormone called Progesterone
makes chicken get broody. “Progesterone also known as P4 (pregn-4-ene-3,20-
dione) is a C-21 steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle,
pregnancy (supports gestation) and embryogenesis of humans and animals”
(Wikipedia). Another hormone that makes a chicken gain weight fast is
testosterone. Testosterone “is the principal androgenic hormone, produced by
the interstitial (Leydig) cells of the testes in response to stimulation by the
luteinizing hormone of the anterior pituitary gland; it is thought to be responsible
for regulation of gonadotropic secretion, spermatogenesis, and wolffian duct
differentiation” (Dorland). Many others minor hormones being used in chicken at
a higher levels than what a chicken can tolerate, are Estradiol, zeranol and
trembolone. Usually, farmers inject chickens in their wings, necks and
sometimes they inject the egg.

CONSEQUENCES

Using hormones and in chickens causes a negative impact to
both chickens and humans. There are many consequences every time a chicken is
being injected with a hormone , such as depression in the intracellular
concentration of cAMP (Cyclic adenosine monophosphate),decreased in
protein kinase A activity and reduction in the phosphorylation of hormone-
sensitive lipase (Growth Hormone 343). As a result, the chicken deals with
emergency and panics. Furthermore, a consequence to human’s health, is the
development of synthetic agonist and antagonist into humans body, which causes
desensitization. Moreover, a variety of hormones and antibiotics have been
found to affect breast cancer, reproductive-system cancer in women and prostate
cancer in men (176).
“Netlore Archive: According to this email rumor, a woman developed a cyst
after eating chicken wings that had been injected with steroids to accelerate
growth”. In addition, the Bolivian president claims that hormone chicken causes
homosexuality(Pink News). “The chicken we eat is loaded with female hormones. So,
when men eat it, they tend to deviate from their manhood” (Morales). Hormones
also produce an artificial protein in the meat, reducing its quality and
changing the taste of the meat.

REGULATIONS

According to the US public law 90-399, hormone use in chicken is illegal
since 1968(fao). If any infringement offenders will be persecuted penally. In 1930,
companies started using hormones in chicken being uncertain of the
consequences. After many incidents with testimonials that people got sick from
eating chicken with hormones US government decided to set regulation and
illegalize hormone use. The PPIA( poultry product inspection act) of FSIS,is an
agency that provides inspection for all poultry products sold in interstate
commerce, and reinspects imported products to ensure that they meet U S foot
safety standards. All the laws are set by the congress.
Even though, hormone use is prohibited, it is difficult for federal agencies
to detect a hormone use to chickens.(fao) “It should be clearly understood that this
discussion concerns only measurement methods intended to detect residues remaining
in flesh and viscera. These methods are, however, not very reliable, and other biological
material must be examined to determine whether the animals have been treated with
hormones. Specialists agree that there are still difficulties in testing for
residues in the tissues of animals intended for use as food” (Ferrando). Most of the
hormones are already produced in small amounts by the chickens. Only acetate
residues of zeranol and rembolone can be found in chicken’s meat, but those are
rarely used by the farmers. Only if the health department succeed to catch

farmers during the injection process, can prove that chickens are being treated
with hormones.

ANTIBIOTICS

A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other
microorganism. Originally, an antibiotic was a substance produced by one
microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another(Wikipedia). There
many types of antibiotics used in chicken such as penicillins, tetracyclines,
macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, aminoglycosides, and sulfonamides
(179). Most of the time antibiotics are spread to the chicken’s feed. The 70
percent of all antibiotics produced in the US are given to livestock(177).
Antibiotics not only treat diseases but accelerate growth. In addition, antibiotics
are given to all chickens not only to those who are sick.
Antibiotics that can be used to treat people are illegal to be used in animals. Some
antibiotics, that can be used only in animals are legal, because big companies had
“proved” that are needed to tread sick chicken. Unfortunately our government is
being weak to reduce antibiotic use, because farmers are not required to report
antibiotic use in animals, the reduction cannot be documented (Burros).
Furthermore, farmers can buy antibiotics without any prescriptions.

Many companies claim that they use hormones and antibiotics in chickens
for therapeutic reasons. They say that during a chicken’s life there are a lot of
bacteria around it. Using hormones and antibiotics can kill those bacteria.
However, there are many other ways to kill bacteria without transforming the
chicken into a giant. For instance, keeping the farms clean, so it would decrease
bacteria in the chickens environment . In my opinion, there is no excuse for
companies, that use hormones and antibiotics. I believe that companies do it only
for economic benefits. The government should enforce control our hormone uses
in meat because it affects human health.


I strongly believe that our government should change the strategy of
how our food is inspected and produced and find a way to force big meat
factories to follow the laws. Moreover, should illegalize the availability for farmers
of buying hormones and antibiotics without any prescriptions. All types of meat
including chicken is injected with hormones and often makes people sick. Many
people are unconcerned about hormones in food and their consequences, while
some other people may be aware. However, many have trouble distinguishing
whether the food is hormone free or not. It is in our government hand to help us
and for the consumer to become aware of the negative effects that hormones in
meat have on human health