Genetic manipulation can indeed create superbugs that are resistant to known drugs, but this behavior has serious problems at the level of scientific ethics and biosafety. The following is a detailed analysis： --- ### **1. Scientific feasibility** -**Gene editing technology**: Tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 can accurately modify bacterial genes, such as： -Enhance the expression of antibiotics degrading enzymes (such as β-lactamase). -Change drug targets (such as ribosomes or cell wall synthetic enzymes) to evade drug effects. -Activate the external discharge pump system to accelerate drug discharge. -**Horizontal gene transfer**: Bacteria can naturally exchange drug-resistant genes through plasmids, and this process can be artificially accelerated in the laboratory. -**Existing cases**： -Strains resistant to polymyxin (by adding the mcr-1 gene) or carbapenem antibiotics have been constructed in the laboratory. -In 2017, the Harvard University team gradually induced E. coli to increase its resistance to triclosan (disinfectant) by 1,000 times. --- ### **2. Potential risks** -**Biosafety threats**: If such strains are accidentally leaked or maliciously released, it may lead to an infection that has no cure. - **Ecological impact**: Drug-resistant genes may spread to other microorganisms in the environment, disrupting the ecological balance. - **Ethical controversy**: Actively creating highly pathogenic pathogens violates international norms such as the Biological Weapons Convention. --- ### **3. Regulatory and ethical restrictions** -**International norms**： -The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) prohibits the development, production or stockpiling of biological weapons. -The World Health Organization (WHO) and countries have strict approval for research on highly pathogenic pathogens (such as “gain function research” requires additional review). -**Laboratory requirements**： -Such experiments must be conducted in a BSL-3/4 laboratory and comply with the “dual-purpose research” control policy. --- ### **4. The response of the scientific community** -**The purpose of drug resistance research**: Legal research usually focuses on： -Understand the mechanism of drug resistance to develop new drugs. -Simulate the natural evolution process and assess future threats. -**Self-discipline of synthetic biology**: The International Association for Gene Synthesis (IGSC) screens suspicious DNA orders to prevent malicious synthesis of pathogen genes. --- ###**Conclusion** It is technically feasible, but any attempt to create super drug-resistant bacteria will be severely restricted by the international scientific community and laws. Scientific research should be premised on ensuring public safety within the ethical framework, and the focus should be on responding to drug resistance rather than creating threats.