When we find a solution to a problem, naturally we look to the same approach for the next similar challenge. #Antibiotics changed the landscape of human #health very quickly, so obviously we turn to them to lead the way with each new #bacterial challenge to our health in this interminable war, because it’s easy to think that way. Daniel #Kahneman, the Nobel Laureate of 2002 describes WYSIATI (What you see is all there is) as a cognitive bias that, by supporting our mindset, risks closing our minds to other evidence or better ideas.
Bacteria have successfully deployed mutation and adaptation for about 3.8 billion years to protect themselves, multiply and spread themselves throughout the planet, so won’t just “roll over” forever to our #antibiotic #treatments. #AMR is a natural bacterial response.
Our follow-on response to AMR with #antibiotic #stewardship, although necessary, is relatively mild and so isn’t the solution to our relentlessly evolving plight. Although we caught them off-guard, without doubt, over the long-term bacterial tactics have greater potential than our current strategy. We need to challenge our dependencies on antibiotics and seek new approaches for our protection from bacterial infections. The #UK #government suggested as much in its 5-year antimicrobial resistance national action plan, but little has transpired to that effect.
Nature offers many opportunities, but we need a mindset that will allow us to exploit them optimally. #Best #drug #treatments, defined as having the right #drug at the right #concentration at the right place and at the right time doesn’t mention #bactericides or #bacterial reproduction blockers. Antibiotics are not all there is. We should broaden our thinking.
If we do, we can better exploit, through repurposing, more of nature’s solutions. More on that in a future posting. First, let’s open our minds to seeking better.
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