Save Rainforests

There are many medicinal products that come from plants. Herbalists, such as the Chinese, have used herbs to treat various illnesses for centuries. Taxol, which comes from the bark of the Pacific Yew, is used to treat cancer. Digoxin, from the foxglove, is used to treat heart disease. Reserpine, an antihypertensive, comes from the dogbane family. The list goes on. An estimated 25% of a drug prescriptions in the United States are derived from plants.

• What herbs are recommended to improve memory?
• What herbs are recommended to treat menstrual cramps?
• Name three modern chemicals from plants that are used in disease prevention. Do not include those listed above.

There is no limit to what can be gained from studying plants, especially those we have not yet found or identified. From a biologist's perspective, there is a real need to protect biodiveristy. Fifty percent of the earth's diversity, including plant diversity, is found on 7% of the earths' surface. This 7% is occupied by tropical rainforests. Fifty-seven percent of all rainforests are found in the neotropics. Unfortunately, the greatest diversity of unstudied plants are found in the rainforests which are being destroyed at a phenomenal rate. Less than 12% of Brazil's Atlantic coastal rain forest is still standing. At the current rate of destruction, all tropical rainforests worldwide will disappear by the year 2175.

• Why should we preserve rainforests?
• Should a country such as the United States dictate what happens to the rainforests in Central America?
• Because most of the rainforests are found in Third World Countries where people are more interested in their own survival, what incentives would you offer these people to stop the destruction of their rain forests?
• What are you willing to give up to protect the rainforests?
• Would you be willing to stop eating hamburgers at fast food restaurants?