A new study that surprised even researchers has found that some bacteria “take one for the team” and sacrifice themselves so that their fellow bacteria have a better chance at survival under assault from antibiotics.
Full article on the altruistic sacrifice of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
This sounds like the basis for group selection, rather than individual selection.
Instead of the selfish gene, it’s the selfish group.
I wonder why drug makers couldn’t develop a compound that negates the effects of indole, making it more likely all bacteria would die?
The whole altruism versus selfishness argument continues! I am sure Richard Dawkins would have an opinion. Probably something to do with an evolutionarily sustainable strategy. But I am not sure exactly how that would apply here.