Superbugs: Resistance Isn't Futile But A New Generation Of Antibiotics Is Needed

Staff Writer | The Guardian | July 2, 2014

Not so super, really, but powerful enough to withstand much of what modern medicine has thrown at them. That's why David Cameron is calling for a global response to tackle the problem

Superbugs could send us "back into the dark ages", according to England's chief medical officer. How would they do that? By causing life-threatening infections that antibiotics can't cure. Five thousand people die from E coli infections every year in England. Multi-resistant bugs such as MRSA could make routine operations too risky to perform...

How does a superbug become resistant? Through evolution. As we treat infections with antibiotics, those bacteria with genetic resistance thrive and multiply. The more we prescribe – and overprescribe – antibiotics, the more selective pressure we put on bacterial populations, encouraging them to adapt...