Evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria

[janine]

Perhaps even more importantly, how will we carry it out without infecting people & blasting them with antibiotics? :eek:

[Bon Voyage]

I tell you what, when I feel a cold comin' on, skip anti-biotics, I have a little bit of grandpa's cough medicine.  It does the trick.

How are all of you this evening?  

I have a question for you since you are pretty much fair minded members of "the opposition."  As you no doubt are aware there are bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Evolutionists claim that the bacteria either evolved the genes to fight the antibiotic or stole the ability from another organism.  Creationists argue that the wee beasties either stole the gene from another wee beastie or always had the gene, though for some reason it does not always get passed on to future beasties thus leading to death via antibiotics.


How could we develop an experiment which would prove the answer once and for all?

[Bon Voyage]

Adaptation or evolution?  I think there is adaptation, I think there is room for small changes.  Look at dogs and people.  Selective breeding can do wonders.

[Arkstfan]

Well I've not ever read it framed in an evolution vs. adaptation format but...

From what I have read, the scientist aren't totally sure what happens with resistant bacteria but many (most?) seem to believe that resistance is in many ways the fault of people who don't take the full course of antibiotic. A small number survive since not enough was taken to kill them off. They develop a vaccine like immunity from being given exposure but a non-lethal dose.

Most antibiotics as I recall from college work by preventing the bacteria from reproducing. Those that survive are able to reproduce and carry the resistance as well.

As to evolution, again harkening back to my college courses, it is nothing more than those with right traits surviving and passing them on and those with the wrongs one dying out and not reproducing. We've basically killed out the early forms of corn, potatoes, cattle, and dogs by only allowing the ones with traits we like to reproduce.

I don't think a Mayan would recognize today's potato or an Incan today's corn but they are still potatoes and corn. Antibiotic resistant bacteria is still basically the same germ as before.