Long-term exposure to antibiotics from agricultural run off may encourage the evolution of soil bacteria that break down and consume the antibacterial agents. Wikimedia, Brian Stansberry Soil microbes exposed to antibiotics over a long period evolve the ability to detoxify the compounds, and may even derive nutritional benefit in the process, according to a report out last week (December 6) in the Journal of Environmental Quality . Antibiotics administered to promote the growth and health of livestock find their way into agricultural soils through the manure of the treated animals, which is...