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New cures for human ailments under threat by global extinction crisis Jeremy Hance, mongabay.com April 24, 2008
A new book Sustaining Life: How Human Life Depends on Biodiversity proves that the 1992 film isn't far off the track. The new book is the largest text yet regarding the possible cures that have already been lost—and those that we are losing due to the globe's increasing loss of biodiversity. The book includes writing from over one-hundred scientists, including an introduction by E.O. Wilson and a prologue by Kofi Annan. "While extinction is alarming in its own right, this book demonstrates that many species can help save human lives," explains Jeffrey McNeely, co-author of the book. "If we needed more justification for action to conserve species, this book offers dozens of dramatic examples of both why and how citizens can act in ways that will conserve, rather than destroy, the species that enrich our lives."
The gastric brooding frog is only one example of many. Amphibians are among the world's most endangered animals—they are dying off in large numbers due to habitat loss, pollutants, climate change, and chytrid fungus (a disease unique among amphibians). Yet amphibians are known among medical researchers for the unique secretions they produce. Researchers see possibilities in amphibians for better treatment of heart disease and high-blood pressure, more power pain-killers, new antibiotics, and even better ways of organ preservation before transplanting. Not only are amphibians threatened worldwide, there are probably innumerable amphibian species that have gone undiscovered by scientists—many of which may be gone before recorded and studied. While bears are threatened by loss of habitat, they also face a large Asian market for their body parts as folk remedies for various ailments. Currently, six bears are threatened with extinction. Already studying bears has given humans rsodeoxycholic acid; it has a variety of uses, including prevent bile during pregnancy and dissolving gallstones. Yet scientists see even more potential in bear species: their ability to hibernate may help develop new treatments for osteoporosis, diabetes, and renal diseases.
Plants also hold a great possibility of cures for humanity. Yet plants have been less surveyed than animals, especially in plant-rich ecosystems like the Amazon, where thousands of species can inhabit a small area. The Gymnosperms plants include at least 1,000 species, though many are endangered. Gymnosperms are already responsible for some decongestants and the anti-cancer drug taxol. Researchers see more possibilities amid its species for treatments to Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and depression, but only if the species avoid extinction. The research in Sustaining Life: How Human Life Depends on Biodiversity, highlights just one important way in which the current crisis of mass-extinction will greatly harm the human race. The books many authors are eager to point out that the only method of further studying these treatments—and the countless unknown ones—is to stem the tide of biodiversity loss, conserving both species and ecosystems. SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
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