Extracts of the rosy periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, have provided medicine with vincristine and vinblastine, drugs now available for treating cancer. What human action promotes the ability to find this species of plant and discover its potential use for medicines?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Preserving biodiversity ensures the conservation of various species of plants that have beneficial uses like the rosy periwinkle plant. This action increases the chances of finding plants with medicinal properties and discovering their potential use for medicine. Overexploitation, genetic engineering, and supporting pharmaceutical industries may not necessarily promote the discovery of new medicinal plants.

Extracts of the Rosy Periwinkle, Catharanthus Roseus, Have Provided Medicine