What causes antibiotic resistance? – Kevin Wu

Explore how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and turn into superbugs, and what scientists are doing to stop it.

Right now, you are inhabited by trillions of microorganisms. Many of these bacteria are harmless (or even helpful!), but there are a few strains of ‘super bacteria’ that are pretty nasty — and they’re growing resistant to our antibiotics. Why is this happening? Kevin Wu details the evolution of this problem that presents a big challenge for the future of medicine.

Lesson by Kevin Wu, animation by Brett Underhill.

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View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-antibiotics-become-resistant-over-time-kevin-wu

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