The National Physical Laboratory and University College London have conducted a study that reveals that a protein in breast milk is capable of killing the superbugs, which are basically the antibiotic-resistant viruses. The protein, known as lactoferrin, is capable of completely destroying bacteria, fungi and viruses, immediately after coming in contact with them.

The extremely fatal dangers posed by the drug-resistant superbugs have been a point of concern for several people in the medical community. These superbugs are capable of developing rapidly and overpowering any antibiotics that are used against them. It has been implied by some researchers that bacterial resistance can be a major danger during climate change.

However, lactoferrin does more than just defeating the hospital-dwelling superbugs. The protein is so strong that it can destroy the superbugs within a fraction of second of coming in contact, thereby implying that the superbugs will not get the time to gain resistance towards the antibiotic. However, it has been suggested that detailed studies will have to be conducted, along with a series of safety checks that will have to undertaken before a course of the protein can be prescribed by the doctor. Meanwhile, the scientists say that lactoferrin will play a much more important role than only destroying antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The protein will also assist in fighting against the diseases that are considered to be incurable at present, including sickle-cell anaemia.

A special committee has been formed by the UK government to handle the issue of superbugs. At present, the world requires a minimum of 10 new antibiotics to be developed in each decade, coming down to about 1 new antibiotic every year, in an effort to combat against the virus strains that develop resistance towards the drugs. The committee revealed that 10 million people will die by 2050 in case of the failure to develop new drugs.