Dangers of "Super-Clean" Culture

A study presented to the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggests that a worldwide culture of cleanliness may lead to newer, more deadly diseases.

Nearly half of all hand soaps and 75% of liquid soaps produced today contain antibacterial agents. Meanwhile, evidence suggests bacteria are mutating at an alarming rate to cope with the use of antibacterials.

One such bug is MRSA, the hospital superbug which now seems to be immune to nearly all known forms of antibiotics.

One school of thought proposes that, just as computer "hackers" are always one step ahead of the security experts, nature will always be able to combat scientific advances in Medicine.

Sunday, 3 December 2000