Another misunderstanding leads to the fear that antibiotic resistance could be transferred from plants to bacteria in the human gut, creating dangerous pathogens.

ECONOMIST: In defence of the demon seed

The discovery that animals in pristine environments have few bacteria with resistance genes makes it likely that much of the antibiotic resistance found in these other species is a result of human influence, rather than natural gene-circulation.

ECONOMIST: Are the bugs in wild animals resistant to antibiotics?

Moreover, bacteria in their natural state already contain thousands of antibiotic-resistance genes.

ECONOMIST: Development and the environment

The American Health Institute, the association that represents large agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, supports the NARMS monitoring program as "it provides an important early warning system on the potential for the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria, " said Ron Phillips, vice president for legislative and public affairs, in an e-mail.

CNN: What government tests found in your meat

The American Health Institute, the association that represents large agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, says it supports the NARMS monitoring program as "it provides an important early warning system on the potential for the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria, " said Ron Phillips, vice president for legislative and public affairs, in an e-mail.

CNN: What government tests found in your meat

Undurraga is particularly concerned about the NARMS findings because it means the consumption of meat is adding to what the director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan, last year called a "post-antibiotic era" in which antibiotics will no longer work to fight disease because too many bacteria have developed resistance to it.

CNN: What government tests found in your meat