Bacterial persistence: an ignored problem by a science without answers

Opinion article

Abstract

In our western culture, we have a triumphalist and messianic conception of science, since it is confided that sooner or later it will find the answers and the solutions to the problems of humanity. However, science tends to systematically ignore everything for which it has no explanation, and condemns to oblivion all knowledge that has not practical application. Persister cells are one of those forgotten problems, although it has recently attracted the attention of the scientific community, as it is associated with the growing problem of bacterial resistance. This article addresses two dissimilar but closely related topics. The first is to explain the forgotten and ignored phenomenon of persister cells and its implication in the progressive decrease in the useful life of antibiotics. The second is an ethical-epistemological analysis with the objective of elucidating the responsibility of science regarding ignorance and forgetfulness of this problem. Finally, an epistemological stance for the constant revaluation of forgotten knowledge is proposed.