2000 -Antimicrobial agents are used for everything from fighting disease to protecting crops to producing food animals, and not enough is understood about the impact of resistance on the environment as a whole.
Resistance is a natural result of the ability of bacterial cells to adapt.
Over-use and misuse of antimicrobials and the widespread use of disinfectants in household products may speed the process, but over time, even the careful use of antimicrobial agents will lead to resistant bacteria. As existing antimicrobial agents decline in effectiveness, infections will be more difficult and expensive to treat. Epidemics will become harder to control, and water, animals, and crops will be affected. The document presents the conclusions of a panel of 30 scientists that spent several days deliberating the issues. The meeting brought together researchers in the environmental and agricultural sciences, infectious disease specialists, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and public health officials to take an inclusive view of problems and offer solutions.