Bacteria don't just pass resistance to their offspring; they can "swap" genes with other bacteria in a cyclical process. Selective Pressure:

of antibiotics—prescribing them for viral colds or using them as growth promoters in livestock—has created a "survival of the fittest" training ground for pathogens [3, 4, 5]. A Global Crisis

Today there are some bacterial infections for which we have no effective antibiotic. Reasoning:

Doctors and patients must ensure antibiotics are used only when absolutely necessary [5]. Innovation:

The economic burden of antibiotic resistance is also significant. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the cost of treating antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States is approximately $20 billion annually.

Compounding the problem is a significant decline in drug discovery. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize (like those for asthma or diabetes) over antibiotics, which are relatively inexpensive and used for short durations. Key Drivers of Global Resistance Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd