Final answer:
The authors claim that the misuse and overuse of antibiotics are leading to the emergence of superbugs, with certain infectious diseases on the rise due to bacteria becoming resistant to current treatments. Developing new antibiotics is a long and costly process, underscoring the need for careful antibiotic use to prevent a post-antibiotic era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors of the article "stop the spread of superbugs" claim that antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, with the emergence of superbugs or multidrug-resistant bacteria posing a serious challenge to public health and pharmaceutical companies.
They stress the importance of prudent antibiotic use, as overuse and misuse contribute to the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. Antibiotic resistance happens through mutation and natural selection, and once resistance traits are acquired, they can be shared with other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer.
This has led to a resurgence of once-controllable infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Furthermore, the authors highlight the considerable time, research, and financial investment required to develop new antibiotics, emphasizing the gravity of the crisis.