How does antibiotic resistance develop?
An antibiotic can eliminate the symptoms of an infection without killing all the microorganisms a the site of infection. Genetic changes occurring by chance enable some microorganisms to resist the antibiotic’s assault. The survivors become the source of a new, drug-resistant strain that can often transfer the resistance to their own progeny as well as to other microorganisms. Transfer of information among microorganisms is common-place. Every year, more microorganisms are able to resist the killing power of penicillin, tetracycline, and other so-called “wonder drugs.” As hard-to-cure infections become more widespread, treatment will become more difficult and expensive. The chances of minor problems evolving into medical disasters will increase, too, as more drugs become ineffective.
