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Written in clear, nontechnical language, this investigation of drug resistance provides readers with an overview of the scientific issues, the current scope of the problem nationally and globally, and the measures that can be taken to combat this public health crisis. * Provides an accessibly written introduction to the science of drug resistance that addresses both the biology of how microbes become resistant and the social practices that can foster drug resistance* Summarizes information about the scope of drug resistance both in the United States and worldwide, allowing readers to understand this issue both as a national concern and in the global context* Suggests a number of measures that can be taken to combat drug resistance, from changes in individual behaviors to larger policy changes* Discusses complex ethical issues such as the need to weigh individual freedoms against societal rights in a balanced manner.