Pharmaceutical companies are making high profits from newly developed antibiotics.
: Found in Paragraph B: "...sharing resistance genes directly with neighboring bacteria of entirely different species via plasmids."
: Resistance is a natural process, not just a man-made error. The Power of Hygiene Pharmaceutical companies are making high profits from newly
(It is often unprofitable, leading to a "dry pipeline" of new drugs).
Through natural selection and rapid reproduction, bacteria that survive exposure to an antibiotic pass on their resistance genes to offspring. When antibiotics are misused—such as being taken for
The story of this global threat is one of interconnectedness. Globalization has fueled the spread of these germs through increased travel, trade, and even the movement of livestock. When antibiotics are misused—such as being taken for viruses (where they are useless) or used to fatten up farm animals—we accelerate this evolution.
The consequences of antibiotic resistance are far-reaching and devastating. In the United States alone, it is estimated that antibiotic-resistant infections affect over 2 million people each year, resulting in over 23,000 deaths. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that antibiotic resistance is responsible for over 700,000 deaths annually. involving physical contact
Routine procedures, such as hip replacements or chemotherapy, rely on effective antibiotics to prevent infection. Without them, these procedures become high-risk.
Bacteria can rapidly distribute genetic defenses through a process called __________, involving physical contact, absorption, or viral delivery. Answer: (or GENE TRANSFER )