Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Scientists warn research slowdown poses global threat
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Full Coverage
Sitemap
Scientists warn research slowdown poses global threat
AFP - Monday, September 13
Send
IM Story
Print
Scientists warn research slowdown poses global threat
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) - – A slowdown in research aimed at the development of new and more effective antibiotics poses the threat of a return to a situation that existed in the world before the discovery of penicillin, scientists have warned.
"We have a big resistance problem that has become a global health crisis," said Doctor Ursula Theuretzbacher of the Austrian Center for Anti-Infective Agents.
She spoke at the 50th annual meeting of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), which opened in Boston on Sunday.
Theuretzbacher said thousands of people were being affected and dying from multidrug resistance, which had become a big problem in developing - as well as in - developed countries.
"There are so many cases already that are non-treatable," cautioned the Austrian expert. "We don't have any antibiotics left to treat them, including the last resort antibiotics ... You see now increased resistance against these also."
She said a look at antibiotics that are being developed brings experts to the conclusion "that the medical need is not really met by the pharmaceutical industry."
Doctor Gary Noel of the pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson said the volume of scientific research concentration on new antibiotics has probably dropped by half over the past 10 years.
He said there had been a divestment of resources in this area of medical research because the return on investment had not been as great as it was in other therapies.
Noel said that according to his research, there are probably about 50 molecules that are being planned for systematic use to treat infectious diseases.
Of those 50 just under half are in the early stages of clinical development, he said, and a little more than 10 percent have actually progressed into the latest stage of development.
"And when a drug gets into the final stage, it is still two to three, four years away from getting to a patient bedside," Noel warned.
Theuretzbacher said societies needed a new approach to solving this problem that would not be based exclusively on investment and profits.
She said several existing proposals aimed at solving the problem, such as creating public-private partnerships and directing more public money into research.
"The public probably needs to come in to fill this gap of funding in the very early research and early development," Theuretzbacher concluded.
She suggested stricter regulation of what she sees as the current excessive use of antibiotics by humans and in the cattle industry, which had prompted bacteria to develop resistance to them.
Theuretzbacher urged health officials to do everything possible to "avoid coming back to the pre-penicillin era."
ICAAC, the principal international meeting on infectious diseases, has brought together some 12,000 specialists to Boston for presentations and discussions between September 12-15.
The World Health Organization (WHO) last month issued a fresh warning over the metallo-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene that enables some micro-organisms to be highly resistant to almost all antibiotics.
The Lancet medical journal said bacteria containing the NDM-1 gene had been found in 37 Britons who had received medical treatment in South Asia in recent months.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
Turkish vote boosts PM's re-election chances
OECD sees economic expansion losing steam
EU tips faster euro economy growth of 1.7% for 2010
Bank shares rally despite new tough rules on capital
BAE Systems eyes sale of US unit Platform Solutions
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Doomsday warnings of US apocalypse gain ground
US pastor puts Koran-burning on hold
Ceremonies in NY, Washington mark 9/11 anniversary
Mosque retreat will feed extremism, warns NY imam
Non-stick cookware may boost cholesterol: study
More Most Viewed »
Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss
Earth's upper atmosphere shrinking, scientists say
Tiger's ex breaks her silence on sex scandal
US pastor puts Koran-burning on hold
Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 13 September 2010 Iran ready to free detained U.S. woman on bail
US-TECH Summary
Central bankers reach deal on new bank regulations
Finesse needed on "difficult" Iran
Artificial "skin" materials can sense pressure
Deutsche Bank unveils record capital hike to buy Postbank
Forbes Predicts Mukesh Ambani As Richest Man On Earth By 2014
Netanyahu hints at settlement construction limits
Greek PM rules out any restructuring of national debt
Kentucky Breakfast Rage Kills 5
Enbridge Claims Oil Spill Contained
Four killed in clashes in northern Iraq
Iran to release US detainee on $500,000 bail
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest
NATO says 5 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
Thousands of Chinese swim in Taiwan lake
Sumo event starts with vow to sever yakuza ties
Petraeus issues guidance for Afghan contracting
Igor strengthens to category four hurricane
China mass measles vaccination plan sparks outcry
Iran says to release US detainee on 500,000 dollars bail
China summons Japanese ambassador again over boat
Artificial skin materials can sense pressure
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
New "Resident Evil" sequel rules world box office
'Resident Evil' takes box office lead
Redford digs into Lincoln assassination plot
MTV awards revive Taylor Swift, Kanye West rivalry
|
Redford digs into Lincoln assassination plot
|
New Resident Evil sequel rules world box office
|
Obama aides suggest going soft on Afghan corruption
Robotics breakthrough: Scientists make artificial skin
Pope's visit aimed at easing tensions with Anglicans
Mexican marines capture top drug lieutenant
|
Turkey referendum win puts Erdogan in poll for 2011
Rare North Korea meet delayed due to leader's health: report
|
Russian police swoop on opposition protest
Mosque retreat will feed extremism, warns NY imam
Thousands held without trial in Iraq jails: Amnesty
French New Wave film director Claude Chabrol dies at 80
Greek PM rules out any restructuring of national debt
Japan frees China boat crew, calls for gas talks
|
Police, Reporters Far Outnumber Protesters In Front Of Controversial Church
U.S. handover puts Iraqi prisoners at risk
Pope praises Catholic convert ahead of Britain trip
Brazil's Rousseff takes heat in televised debate
|
British troops in Afghanistan face heroin smuggling probe
Japan PM candidates woo undecided MPs before vote
|
Backers of Guinea election rivals clash in streets
|
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest
Turkey referendum win puts Erdogan in pole for 2011
|
Israeli shelling kills 3 Palestinians in Gaza
Netanyahu hints at settlement construction limits
Philippine Muslim rebels say ready for peace talks
S.Korea activists to stage anti-G20 protests
U.S. handover puts Iraqi prisoners at risk: Amnesty
|
Iran ready to free detained U.S. woman on bail
Japan PM and rival in party leadership showdown
Instant View
Thailand denies visas to Vietnam rights activists
Take That in live show reunion
Thailand denies entry to Vietnam activists: group
Lady Gaga the big winner at MTV music awards
Health of N.Korea's Kim delays key party meeting
NBC originally said no to release of 'SNL' doc
Chinese martial arts master to teach Fijians tai chi
Geithner not satisfied with China progress on yuan
Danny Boyle comes to the rescue of French filmmaker
Japan PM candidates woo undecided MPs before vote
Boyle, Franco challenged in survival film "127 Hours"
Wife directs Bollywood star Aamir Khan in latest film
India's lost Buddhist university to rise from ashes
Take That's Williams, Barlow reunite for charity
Igor strengthens to category four hurricane
NZ quake rebuild to boost 2011/12 GDP
Seoul shares hit new 27-mth closing high on autos
Korea Fin Corp eyes up to $750 mln bond sale this wk
Bidder to appeal ruling on AIG Taiwan unit: report
Bidder to appeal ruling on AIG Taiwan unit-paper
Korea Hot Stocks
KNOC eyes up to $1 bln foreign bond sale in 2010
Seoul shares rise; Hyundai Homeshopping rallies
Carrefour cuts rivals from S.E Asian store auction: report
Lady Gaga the big winner at MTV music awards
|
Boyle, Franco challenged in survival film 127 Hours
|
Take That's Williams, Barlow reunite for charity
|
Sofia Coppola's film on celebrity wins in Venice
|
U.N. nuclear body and Iran clash over barred inspectors
Fourteen killed in Koran protests across Indian Kashmir
|
Google to buy Israel's Quicksee: report
Iraq combat over but U.S. troops still in danger
Air strikes kill 14 in Afghanistan: NATO
Mobile phone users enlist YouMail "digital secretary"
U.N. nuclear body, Iran clash over barred inspectors
|
Trial Begins Of Lesbian Discharged From Air Force
EU tips faster euro economy growth of 1.7% for 2010
Iran frees rights activist on bail
Man Goes To Grab Wallet, Instead Grabs Pistol And Shoots Himself
Cyanide Suspected In Lab Technician's Death
Plane crashes in Venezuela with 47 on board
|
Bank shares rally despite new tough rules on capital
Polo Ralph Lauren Holds Successful Fashion's Night Out Events
Philippines searches for mother of newborn left in plane
|
BAE Systems eyes sale of US unit Platform Solutions
Grey's Anatomy Season Six Available September 14 On DVD
NATO: Airstrikes kill 14 insurgents in Afghanistan
Turkish referendum win boosts Erdogan and markets
|
Scientists warn research slowdown poses global threat
Special Representative To Muslim Communities Cites U.S. Goodwill With Islam
Venezuela to compensate Holcim cement
Study: Number Of Childhood Basketball-Related Brain Injuries Spike
Afghans say ready to secure parliamentary poll
|
Greece fears renewed fuel shortage
Saudis hope palm date trade will enliven remote town
|
Lady Gaga Dominates MTV VMAs With 8 Wins
Enbridge Targets September 27 Deadline On Oil Spill Cleanup
Two UK men ran illegal sperm donor agency
|
"Resident Evil: Afterlife" Finishes First At Weekend Box Office
Russia says EU stalling on visa-free travel
|
Iraq, US dispute Amnesty prison abuse claims
Clinton heads to Mideast to boost peace talks
U.S. says Russia "closer than ever" to WTO
Artificial skin materials can sense pressure
|
Govt says 42% of Israeli Jews are secular
HP to pay $1.5 billion for security firm ArcSight
|
Lady Gaga stylist to design for Thierry Mugler
Google to launch e-book service in Japan in 2011
Google to buy Israel's Quicksee: report
|
China an 'important engine' for world economy: PM
U.S. actor McCarthy of "Body Snatchers" fame dies
EU struggles to persuade Italy over Korea trade deal
MTV awards agog for Lady Gaga
Strong China data lifts Asian markets
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound
Bollywood star apologises over Mumbai attacks remark
China central bank welcomes new bank regulations
PREVIEW-New Zealand quake to stall rates until 2011
Moody's: Shinhan Financial reputation damaged
Asia shrugs off global banking shake-up
Cambodia garment workers begin big strike over pay
Schwarzenegger keen on China high-speed rail
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound
|
U.S. actor McCarthy of Body Snatchers fame dies
|
Favoritism charges follow Tarantino Venice awards
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights