How could the use of plastic-digesting microbes influence the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment?

Plastic-digesting microbes are being explored as a solution to the growing problem of plastic pollution. However, their use raises concerns about the potential spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. This connection is important for both public health and environmental safety.

• Horizontal Gene Transfer: Many plastic-digesting microbes are genetically engineered or naturally possess genes that help them survive harsh environments. These microbes may also carry antibiotic resistance genes, which can be transferred to other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer.
• Environmental Hotspots: Sites where plastics accumulate, such as landfills and water bodies, can become hotspots for microbial activity. The introduction of plastic-digesting microbes increases the microbial population and interactions, raising the chances of gene exchange, including antibiotic resistance genes.
• Co-selection Pressure: Plastics and their additives can act as stressors, selecting for microbes with survival advantages. If these microbes also carry antibiotic resistance genes, the use of plastic-digesting microbes may unintentionally select for resistant strains.
• Spread to Pathogenic Bacteria: If antibiotic resistance genes are transferred from plastic-digesting microbes to pathogenic bacteria, it can make infections harder to treat, posing a direct threat to public health.
• Challenges in Containment: Once released, these microbes and their genetic material can spread widely in the environment, making it difficult to control the spread of resistance genes.

The use of plastic-digesting microbes thus needs careful risk assessment, monitoring, and regulation to prevent the unintended spread of antibiotic resistance, which can have serious consequences for both human health and ecological balance.