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Who owns antibiotics?
The drying up of new antibiotics because companies now no longer see development as profitable highlights a usually well-hidden scandal
IN THE BEGINNING: Alexander Fleming, in his laboratory at St Mary’s, Paddington, London and (right) An antibiotics test plate for a non-resistant bacterial species – bacteria can grow all over the plate, except in the circles around the antibiotics [Pic of antibiotic: CDC/Provider: Don Stalons]

BACTERIA are everywhere on the Earth, including inside our own bodies. While most of these bacteria are harmless, sometimes they can cause life-threatening infections.

Before the 20th century, these infections would often be fatal. However, one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine has been the discovery of antibiotics: chemicals which act to kill bacteria.

Thinking about antibiotics in terms of a “war” between humans and bacteria is a mistake. Many bacteria naturally produce antibiotics to reduce numbers of other bacterial species. These antibiotics are usually in very low concentrations in the environment, but if they can be successfully synthesised they can be used as medicine to stop bacterial overgrowths, preventing deaths from such infections.

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