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Bacterial transformation is a major concern in many medical settings. Why might health care providers be concerned?

a) It leads to antibiotic resistance
b) It promotes gene therapy
c) It involves the transfer of genetic material
d) It affects bacterial reproduction rates

User Krasimir
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Final answer:

Bacterial transformation can lead to antibiotic resistance, the spread of disease-causing genes, and the transfer of DNA encoding toxins, which are major concerns in medical settings.

Step-by-step explanation:

Health care providers might be concerned about bacterial transformation because it involves the transfer of genetic material, which can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This means that bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotics normally used to treat infections, making it more difficult to effectively treat diseases caused by these bacteria.

Additionally, bacterial transformation can also result in the transfer of disease-causing genes from pathogenic bacteria to non-pathogenic bacteria, increasing the risk of spreading infections. Lastly, bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, can spread DNA encoding toxins to new bacteria through transformation, further contributing to health risks.

User Haribo
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