The Antibiotic Apocalypse

[Byron]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34857015

So there are warnings that we are close to an era where diseases are resistant if not totally immune to the strongest antibiotics. Not helped by the use of them in breeding (which is now banned in some countries) and the willingness of GP's to hand them out like candy.

So, how far do you think we are from this? Or is it just scaremongering?

[Magic]

What a surprise the Chinese haven't considered the long term future of humanity.

[Sam]

I think my refusal to take pills and go to the doctors over anything has put me in good territory in this.

[Ian]

Everybody dead by Tuesday.

[Shindig]

I've not taken pills for years. This kind of thing's been talked about for ages. I mean, there's no reason why bacteria can't evolve in the same way that we have. Just... y'know, stop taking stuff for colds. Eat yourself daft instead.

[Magic]

It will seriously affect operations, chemo etc not whether you'll be able to shake a cold off quickly. Its serious stuff.

[randomlegend]

It will probably be what wipes us out in the end.

[simon]

Someone talk to me about sharks. Why can't they contract diseases?

[simon]

I take that back. I've just googled and it appears to be a myth.

[randomlegend]

http://askanaturalist.com/are-sharks-immune-to-disease-and-cancer-2/

EDIT: Cheeky.

[Lewis]

Won't we just come up with even better ones?

[Magic]

No becaus pharmaceutical industry and too much ANTI-TERROR funding.

[Byron]

The concern is that there hasn't been a new strain of antibiotics for about 30 years, so it's more a case of 'will a new one be discovered in time?'

[Jimmy Floyd]

It will probably be what wipes us out in the end.

Why didn't we die out before modern medicine?

[Magic]

The concern is that there hasn't been a new strain of antibiotics for about 30 years, so it's more a case of 'will a new one be discovered in time?'

There is but it's being developed. Penecillin took years before humans could use it.

[Magic]

Why didn't we die out before modern medicine?

Globalisation.

[Lewis]

In the meantime, it's probably best that we destroy China.

[Lewis]

This man (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/20/antibiotics-apocalypse-research-resistance-threat-breakthrough) sez don't worry about it (sort of), so I'm not going to. Feel free to join me. Then again I never get ill, so I'm alright regardless.

[Luke Emia]

The last time I had antibiotics was post hip replacement. I've got roughly 15 years till my next one which should be plenty of time. If a few people die in the meantime that will hopefully speed the process of them being developed up.

[Magic]

You'll die during the operation from a simple infection.