NOVA Season 13 Episode 20 When Wonder Drugs Don't Work

When Wonder Drugs Don't Work is an episode from NOVA season 13. This episode explores the possibility of antibiotic resistance, which could be the cause of today's most dangerous infectious diseases. The show examines where antibiotics come from, how they work, and what happens when they stop working.

NOVA is a show that has been running for more than forty years on PBS. The show features high-quality documentary films that explore science, medicine, technology, and other topics of interest to viewers.

In When Wonder Drugs Don't Work, NOVA takes a deep dive into the world of antibiotics. The show begins by exploring the history of antibiotics, going all the way back to the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming. The show explains how antibiotics work and how they have played a crucial role in saving the lives of millions of people.

However, the episode soon turns to the darker side of antibiotics. The show explains how bacteria can evolve and become resistant to antibiotics. Even as new antibiotics are developed, bacteria can evolve to become immune to them. This means that some bacterial infections, once easily treated with antibiotics, are becoming increasingly difficult to fight.

NOVA explains that there are several factors contributing to this problem. One factor is the overuse of antibiotics. Many people take antibiotics when they don't need them, which can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Another factor is the use of antibiotics in livestock farming. Farmers often use antibiotics to prevent disease in their animals, but this can also contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The show then looks at some of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world today, such as tuberculosis and MRSA. NOVA explains how these diseases are becoming more difficult to treat, and what scientists are doing to try to find new ways to combat them.

One area of research that NOVA explores is the use of phage therapy. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria. Scientists are investigating whether phages could be used to treat bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics. NOVA talks to researchers who are using phages to treat patients in the United States and Europe.

Another area of research that NOVA explores is the development of new antibiotics. NOVA explains that there are few new antibiotics being developed, partly because it's difficult to make money developing antibiotics. Antibiotics are typically only used for short periods of time, which means that pharmaceutical companies may not recoup the costs of developing them. NOVA talks to researchers who are trying to develop new antibiotics, including some who are looking for new sources of antibiotics in nature.

Overall, When Wonder Drugs Don't Work is a fascinating look at one of the most pressing public health issues of our time. The show explains the science behind antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in a way that is easy to understand and engaging. It also offers hope that scientists, doctors, and patients can work together to find new ways to fight bacterial infections and save lives.