Abstract
Globally, the annual number of deaths due to antibiotic resistance infections is estimated to be 700,000, which can climb significantly with new viral diseases. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a process related to the use of antibiotics to cure bacterial diseases. As bacteria replicate, mutations occur randomly, and there is a certain probability that this mutation introduces an antibiotic resistant gene. Upon exposure to antibiotics, all bacteria are cleared out, except for the ones that are antibiotic resistant. In other words, antibiotics significantly increase the gene frequency of the antibiotic resistant gene, allowing these bacteria to grow and develop. The unnecessary use of antibiotics therefore accelerates the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Recommended Citation
Bui, Kien
(2024)
"Why Can’t We Keep Making Antibiotics?,"
Osmosis Magazine: Vol. 2024:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
Available at:
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/osmosis/vol2024/iss2/8
