2007-03-21 05:00:42 · 4 answers · asked by Edith M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The search for a magic bullet is ultimately futile because the properties of different microorganisms (e.g. between different bacteria species) differ so widely that targetting any universal property would also end up being so broad in scope that it would harm the host as well. In addition, natural selection may also eventually result in genetic drift toward more-resistant strains that arise from random mutation, rendering a previously susceptible target immune to attack.
2007-03-25 00:42:45 · answer #1 · answered by citizen insane 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
penicillin was commonly known as the 'magic bullet' - although not neccesarilly by the scientists involved in its development.
It has made a massive change to medicine in the last 60 years...
In the early days it did live up to the hype
unfortunately bugs have evolved to become resistant.
I dont think you can blame penecillin for failing. though
2007-03-21 12:13:42 · answer #2 · answered by Vinni and beer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution will always step in to stop the magic bullet. 99 percent of Bacteria and Viruses may be killed by certain drugs / antibiotics, but there will always be that one percent that is immune, and not killed. The living virus or bacteria that were immune will propogate, and create a new generation of bacteria or virus that is immune to that drug or antibiotic.
2007-03-21 12:33:30 · answer #3 · answered by mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magic bullet: A theoretical substance that could kill disease, causing organisms, without harming the infected organism.
2007-03-21 12:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by Somanyquestions,solittletime 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋