This Week in CQ Researcher

Fighting Superbugs by Marcia Clemmitt, August 24, 2007
Are disease-resistant bacteria becoming unstoppable?

Antibiotics – the wonder drugs of the 20th century – are gradually losing their clout. Bacteria naturally develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs.

In recent years, overuse of antibiotics has caused a growing number of staphylococcus bacteria to evolve into disease-causing “superbugs” resistant to drugs like methicillin. While most superbugs once thrived only in hospitals, new strains outside health facilities are killing healthy people.

• Should government agencies do more to combat superbugs?
  
• Should the government make it easier for drug companies to bring new antibiotics to market?
  
• Should Congress limit the use of antibiotics in farming?

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