Super Bugs and Antibiotic Resistance
As the only microbiologist in Congress, Louise leads the effort to address the most pressing scientific and health issues of our time.
In 2008, she authored the Genetic Nondescrimination Act, a law that prevents health insurance companies from discriminating against patients because of their genetics.
Now, Louise is authoring legislation to end the threat of antibiotic-resistant diseases commonly known as "superbugs".
Superbugs are an emerging threat to society, and one that is driven, in large part, by the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed. This overuse has led to the development of diseases that are resistant to antibiotics, posing a colossal health risk to Americans and to our farming industry. Today, more antibiotics are fed to livestock in North Carolina than are given to all Americans, and thanks to this kind of misuse, antibiotic-resistant diseases now kill more Americans than HIV/AIDS.
Louise has consistently pushed federal agencies, and the agriculture industry to ensure they are safely using antibiotics while feeding their animals. Because of her efforts, it is now public knowledge that 80% of all antibiotics sold in the United States are used on animals- a dangerous trend that is leading to antibiotic resistance. She is the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, a bill that would end the routine use of antibiotics on healthy animals and curb the growing threat of superbugs. Louise continues to advance this legislation in the House and raise awareness of this pressing public health issue, going up against powerful food corporations and agribusiness companies who care more about profits than the safety of Americans who consume their products.