Lessons on the Germ Theory in the 21st Century
Some say the germ theory of disease has been the most important medical breakthrough in history.
It enabled the application of antibiotics in fighting disease. However, antibiotic resistance has
emerged as a critical crisis. Does this render germ theory no longer useful? How does the germ theory
of disease apply to modern disease control? This section focuses on future directions of managing germs
and disease. Scientists are pursuing avenues with stronger emphasis on preventing disease rather than
treating disease.
Supermarket shelves groan under the weight of countless antibacterial products,
but most of us have probably never stopped to consider what happens when these hand gels and dish
soaps get washed down the drain. This resource gives an eye-opening look at the effect these products
may have on fish and other wildlife. The site includes audio and a transcript of the Science Update
radio spot, as well as a further explanation of the research behind the story and a set of discussion
questions for use in the classroom. Links to related web resources are also provided.
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This brief article highlights the context of Pasteur’s anthrax vaccine, its subsequent
cascade effect in many fields of biology, and its relevance today. Links to additional resources are also available.
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This article gives a brief history of health care, including the elucidation
of germ theory. In view of the explosion of technology and knowledge, the world should have become a very
healthy and prosperous one. However, the existence of therapeutic options does not guarantee clinical impact.
Patients must have access to these options and services.
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A great feature from the Why Files, this web site introduces the research of plant biologist
Charles Arntzen of Arizona State University, a pioneer in the development of edible vaccines. Written in the Why
Files’s entertaining and readable style, this easy-to-navigate web site explains how edible vaccines are made, how
they work, and how they may significantly increase vaccination rates in developing countries. Relevant links
to archived Why Files stories and other sources are provided.
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Though this article from Microbe Magazine does a nice job of accurately
communicating the methods by which some microorganisms acquire virulence, middle school students will need
scaffolding in order to get meaning from it. Before reading the article, they should have some knowledge of
what bacteria and genes are. Teacher construction of a guided reading and thinking activity is recommended.
The article highlights the role of gene transfer, mutations, enzymes, and natural selection in nonpathogens
gaining virulence. Knowledge of the processes of how microbes acquire virulence allows for inquiry into how
to disrupt the processes to prevent virulence and eliminate the need for medications to combat pathogens.
This is the current approach to disease management since antibiotics seem to be a dead end. Legible,
graphic representations of some of these processes are hot-linked.
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Copyright
November 2007 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work
supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Science Foundation.
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This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
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