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NOVA scienceNOW4
Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 50 Location: Boston
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Post subject: Killer Microbe Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:17 am |
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| The multidrug-resistant bacterium known colloquially as Iraqibacter is only one of a rising number of so-called “superbugs.” Through natural selection, these microbes can wind up with traits that make them partially or wholly resistant to the workings of our antibiotics. And such evolution can happen extremely quickly, often within a year or two of a new antibiotic’s release. Experts cite several leading causes: overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, waning interest among pharmaceutical companies in developing new antibiotics, and lack of sufficient hygiene in hospitals that can spread resistant strains. Are you worried about a possible “post-antibiotic” age? If so, what do you feel must be done by governments? Corporations? Scientists? Individuals? |
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