Paragraph B explicitly states that without effective drugs, common procedures and minor surgical interventions "will carry an unacceptably high risk of lethal postoperative infections."
Antibiotics are chemical substances used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Since Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928, these modern miracles have saved hundreds of millions of lives. However, the fundamental law of evolutionary biology dictates that organisms adapt to survive. When exposed to an antibiotic, the majority of susceptible bacteria die, but those possessing random genetic mutations that grant them immunity survive and replicate.
The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) arises when micro-organisms evolve mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antimicrobials. While mutation is a natural evolutionary process, the speed at which resistance is developing can be directly attributed to the indiscriminate usage of antibiotic agents in both clinical and veterinary settings. Economists predict that if current trends persist unchecked, drug-resistant infections could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by the middle of the century, eclipsing cancer as a leading cause of mortality. Questions 1–5: True, False, or Not Given
For pharmaceutical companies, the return on investment (ROI) for antibiotics is notoriously low. Unlike chronic medications for hypertension or diabetes, which patients take daily for decades, antibiotics are short-course curative drugs used for a week or two. Furthermore, when a breakthrough antibiotic is discovered, medical guidelines dictate that it should be kept on the shelf as a "last resort" to prevent bacteria from developing resistance to it. Consequently, sales volumes remain low. This economic reality has driven major pharmaceutical firms out of antibiotic research, leaving the field dangerously underfunded. Combating the Threat: A Unified Approach Paragraph B explicitly states that without effective drugs,
Reference to the historic breakthrough that initiated the era of modern miracle medicine.
While the text mentions Fleming's accidental discovery in Section A, it does not state whether or not he personally anticipated the future timeline of bacterial resistance.
The second paragraph of Section A describes the biological mechanism: vulnerable organisms are eradicated, leaving behind "resistant strains" that multiply and pass on "resistance genes." When exposed to an antibiotic, the majority of
Hospitals and clinics must implement strict guidelines to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when absolutely necessary, in the correct dosages, and for the appropriate duration.
One major "stumbling block" mentioned is that drug companies prioritize "lucrative" chronic condition medications over antibiotics, which are often cheaper and used for shorter durations. Vocabulary for High Scores For students aiming for a Band 7.0+, Quizlet resources suggest focusing on these terms from the passage: Medicinal or therapeutic. Judiciously: Done with good judgment or sense.
Compounding the problem is a significant decline in drug discovery. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize (like those for asthma or diabetes) over antibiotics, which are relatively inexpensive and used for short durations. Key Drivers of Global Resistance Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd Economists predict that if current trends persist unchecked,
Before penicillin was mass-produced, simple events like childbirth or a minor could easily prove fatal.
The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance The rise of drug-resistant pathogens is one of the most pressing public health crises of the twenty-first century. For decades, antibiotics have served as the bedrock of modern medicine, transforming once-fatal infections into treatable ailments. However, the widespread misuse and overuse of these miracle drugs have accelerated bacterial evolution, rendering standard treatments ineffective. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the issues surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), structured to mirror the complex texts found in the IELTS Academic Reading module. Section A: The Dawn and Decline of the Miracle Age