The latest “documentary” taking aim at animal agriculture has arrived. “The End of Medicine,” produced by the same writer/producer behind previous hit pieces “Cowspiracy” and “What the Health,” aims to connect meat consumption and animal welfare to “the emergence of existential health threats such as zoonotic disease, chronic disease, and perhaps even more worryingly, antimicrobial resistance.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are involved as executive producers. In a statement, they said that the film “explores how dangerously close the human population is to global antibiotic resistance” and “the government’s complicity and collaboration with the animal agriculture industry.” The statement goes on to further claim “the animal agriculture industry props up its business of keeping thousands of animals housed in soiled conditions by the use of antibiotics.”

Though the filmmakers said they began working on the film in the fall of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly drew more eyes to the topic of zoonotic diseases, something they take full advantage of in the film. The film doesn’t have much new to say and repeats many of the same claims and types of footage we frequently see from critics of animal agriculture (for example, Mercy for Animals and PETA are credited in the end credits). The film follows Dr. Alice Brough, a self-described “pig vet turned animal rights, human rights and climate activist.”

The central premise seems to be (as always) that if everyone around the world went vegan, both individuals and the planet would be healthier. In addition to discussion of potential future pandemics coming from animal agriculture, the topic of antibiotic resistance is a main focus, as the film claims that current regulations around antibiotic use have “minimal impact” and that the animal agriculture community overuses antibiotics to make up for poor living conditions of livestock. The film also touches on environmental issues such as air and water quality and features an interview with Elsie Herring, an environmental activist from North Carolina (who has since passed away).

At this point, the film is currently streaming on several platforms but seems to be getting minimal attention outside of activist circles. While I don’t recommend adding fuel to the fire by directly reacting to it, I do encourage you to make sure you have resources available explaining how your company or organization is committed to safeguarding both animal and public health and the responsible use of antibiotics. We will only continue to hear critics bring up the issues addressed in this documentary and will need to be prepared to set the record straight and correct the narrative.

Documentary blames meat for 'the end of medicine'

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