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

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...