Protecting Wildlife Could Save Your Life

June 5th, 2012

I recently saw an episode of  PBS’s NATURE on television, titled “The Venom Cure”  It was amazing to see these highly deadly creatures, including snakes, spiders, and other creatures of horror movies as efficient killers.  Then, the scientists would reveal that research into these animals has resulted in the the development of life-saving medications that have changed millions of lives.  To be honest, when I watch these shows I’m usually underwhelmed. I expected them to announce that the cure was for an obscure illness or disease that affects a small number of people.  However, I was totally amazed to learn that the class of blood pressure medications called ACE-Inhibitors were developed by studying chemicals found in snake venom!   These are medications that I write prescriptions for everyday, and they originated in a slithering reptile in the trees of the rain forest.  This surprise gave me an epiphany about how most medical schools don’t emphasize how drugs are developed.

All cardiologists are familiar with the medication to treat irregular heartbeats called digoxin.  I recall my college organic chemistry professor telling me how as a child, her mother forbid her to place her pet bunny rabbit near the foxglove flowers (digitalis) in the garden.  She was told they were poisonous for rabbits.  Later as an adult, she learned the class of chemicals called Digitalin was developed from those same flowers!  Cardiology also its owes the most important medication, aspirin, to the bark of the willow tree.  In 400 B.C., Hippocrates knew that the willow tree’s leaves and bark could relieve pain and reduce fevers.

Thinking about how many creatures are yet to be discovered in the isolated forests and depths of the oceans, one can only imagine how many lives could be changed by discovering what new medicines are lurking in them.  Sadly, we are losing more and more species each year as the world’s population is encroaching on the jungles and forests.  By contributing to wildlife conservation, we are investing in our medical future.