UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT Paper II · Q22 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage – 2 There are reports that some of the antibiotics sold in the market are fed to poultry and other livestock as growth promoters. Overusing these substances can create superbugs, pathogens that are resistant to multiple drugs and could be passed along humans. Mindful of that, some farming companies have stopped using the drugs to make chickens gain weight faster. Since Denmark banned antibiotic growth promoters in the 1990s, the major pork exporter says it is producing more pigs — and the animals get fewer diseases.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage given above ?

  1. (a) People should avoid consuming the products of animal farming.
  2. (b) Foods of animal origin should be replaced with foods of plant origin.
  3. (c) Using antibiotics on animals should be banned.
  4. (d) Antibiotics should only be used to treat diseases. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage highlights that using antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock leads to the creation of drug-resistant superbugs that can be transmitted to humans.

• It notes that farming companies have stopped using these drugs for weight gain, and Denmark's ban on antibiotic growth promoters resulted in fewer diseases in animals.

• The critical message is not to eliminate animal products or replace them with plant-based foods, but to restrict the use of antibiotics to their intended medical purpose.

• Therefore, the passage supports the view that antibiotics should be reserved for treating diseases rather than promoting growth in animals.

• This aligns with option (d), which states that antibiotics should only be used to treat diseases.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) People should avoid consuming the products of animal farming.
The passage does not suggest avoiding animal products, as Denmark produces more pigs and animals get fewer diseases after banning growth promoters.
(b) Foods of animal origin should be replaced with foods of plant origin.
The passage does not advocate for replacing animal-origin foods with plant-origin foods; it focuses on the misuse of antibiotics in animal farming.
(c) Using antibiotics on animals should be banned.
The passage does not call for a complete ban on using antibiotics on animals, but rather against their use as growth promoters, implying they should still be used for treating diseases.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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