From this article:
"So far Dr Ausubel and his colleagues have managed to test around 37,000 compounds using their new method, and they have found 28 that have antibiotic properties. Their most exciting discovery is that some of these substances work in completely different ways from existing antibiotics. That means entirely new types of resistance mechanism would have to evolve in order for bacteria to escape their effects."
I wonder who can describe and quantify the probable and the unintended consequences of having supposed "dominion" over bacteria...
The nightmare scenario: Some "lowly" bacterium that had fixed (insert trace mineral here) into the food chain no longer exists; It didn't have a defense to some antibiotic; that arrived, without anyone's intention, nor invitation; downstream from the water treatment plant; that doesn't treat the new pharmaceuticals; that now travel without resistance; from toilet to bay; and then things got bad.
Frish
