One of the world’s most popular weedkillers may be fueling deadly superbugs
New research suggests that glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in soil. Scientists found that multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospital settings also exhibited resistance to high concentrations of glyphosate.
Why it matters
This finding highlights a potential environmental driver of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major global health threat.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributes to an estimated 1.1 million to 1.4 million deaths worldwide each year. While this growing threat is typically linked to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, new research suggests another factor may also be playing a role: certain weedkillers.
The article summarizes scientific findings from a peer-reviewed study without taking a political stance on herbicide regulation.
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