The Pros And Cons Of Antibiotic Resistance

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An Evolving Epidemic
Head scientist of the antibiotic research center at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ohio, Gerry Wright, has studied the genes of 500 streptomyces strains, a type of bacteria, many of which had never previously been identified. All 500 strains held antibiotic-resistance genes and on average were resistant to 8 of 21 tested antibiotics (Sachs). With an average resistance rate as high as 67 percent in some of these streptomyces species, it is evident that antibiotic-resistance is a rising problem. Regardless of the countless studies proving antibiotic-resistance and articles about the subject, it is one the public knows little about. With such a history of antibiotic benefits, it is difficult to perceive the negative affects these drugs have. This is the main reason antibiotic studies are disregarded. If the large majority of the population continues to do little to avert antibiotic-resistance, bacteria will evolve beyond medical treatment. Actions must be taken by the community as a whole, and even further by the individual, to “reduce the spread of microbes and improve our defense against them” (Schmidt 272). Although antibiotic resistance is inevitable, humans are accelerating the natural defense of microbes through the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
The natural components of antibiotics have been used as local remedies long before humans understood the reasons why these sometimes-radical treatments worked. Penicillin became the first manufactured antibiotic after physician Alexander Fleming published articles regarding this bacteria-disabling mold in 1928. Come 1932, penicillin was commonly used to treat infected war injuries, saving the lives of unnumbered soldiers (Lewis). Since then, penicillin has b...

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...rding the importation of food products and live animals, other organisms which carry bacteria. In a world governed by international relations, travel is a large part of today’s society. The leisure and significance of world travel is unlikely to depreciate.
Therefore, local communities must take actions regarding antibiotic-resistance, whether they are awareness programs or state and nationally regulated laws. The act of hindering antibiotic-resistance development is also an individual commitment. People must understand the effects of excess antibiotics and commit to making a difference. These acts may be as simple as not demanding unnecessary antibiotics and finish the entire course when antibiotics are prescribed. Regardless to the natural evolution of bacteria, society must delay the development of antibiotic-resistance within bacteria with humanity has hastened

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