Discover: Weber discusses spread of antibiotic-resistant genes

An article in Discover magazine on DNA pollution that is believed to be transforming some bacteria into antibiotic-resistant "supergerms" quotes Scott Weber, professor and chair of civil, structural and environmental engineering and executive director of the Center for Integrated Waste Management, who is studying how fertilizer derived from human sewage may contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. "We've done a good job designing out treatment plants to reduce conventional contaminants. Unfortunately, no one has been thinking of DNA as a contaminant," he said.