Resumo de The Wealth Of Rainforests

The Amazon Rainforest covers over a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil,Venezuela,
Colombia and the Eastern
Andean region of Ecuador and
Peru.
If Amazonia were a country, it would be the
ninth largest in the world.
More than half of the world''s estimated 10 million species of plants,
animals and insects live in the tropical rainforests. One-fifth of the world''s
fresh water is in the Amazon
Basin.
One hectare may contain over 750 types of trees and 1500
species of higher plants. At least 80% of the developed world''s diet originated in the tropical
rainforest. Its bountiful gifts to the world include fruits like avocados,
coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples,
mangos and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash
and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves,
ginger, sugar cane, turmeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts including Brazil nuts
and cashews. At least 3000 fruits are found in the rainforests; of these only 200 are now
in use in the Western World. The Indians of the rainforest use over 2,000 Rainforest plants rich in secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids.
Biochemists believe alkaloids protect plants from disease and insect attacks.
Many alkaloids from higher plants have proven to be of medicinal value and
benefit.
Currently, 121 prescription drugs currently sold worldwide come from
plant-derived sources. And while 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived
from rainforest ingredients, less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants
have been tested by scientists. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are
active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rainforest.
Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today''s cancer-fighting drugs
come from organisms found only in the rainforest. Vincristine, extracted from the rainforest plant, is one of the world''s most
powerful

anticancer
drugs. It has dramatically increased the survival rate for acute childhood
leukemia since its discovery.

In 1983, there were no U.S.
pharmaceutical manufacturers involved in research programs to discover new
drugs or cures from plants. Today, over 100 pharmaceutical companies and
several branches of the US
government, including giants like Merck and The National Cancer Institute, are
engaged in plant research projects for possible drugs and cures for viruses,
infections, cancer, and even AIDS. Experts agree that by
leaving the rainforests intact and harvesting it''s many nuts, fruits,
oil-producing plants, and medicinal plants, the rainforest has more economic
value than if they were cut down to make grazing land for cattle or for timber.

If managed properly, the
rainforest can provide the world''s need for these natural resources on a
perpetual basis.

Promoting the use of
these sustainable and renewable sources could stop the destruction of the
rainforests. By creating a new source of income harvesting the medicinal
plants, fruits nuts, oil and other sustainable resources, the rainforests is be
more valuable alive than cut and burned.

Sufficient demand of sustainable and ecologically harvested rainforest products
is necessary for preservation efforts to succeed. Purchasing sustainable
rainforest products can effect positive change by creating a market for these
products while supporting the native people''s economy and provides the economic
solution and alternative to cutting the forest just for the value of its
timber.
The beauty, majesty, and timelessness of a primary rainforest are
indescribable. It is impossible to capture on film, to describe in words, or to
explain to those who have never had the awe-inspiring experience of standing in
the heart of a primary rainforest.

Rainforests have evolved oveears to turn into the incredibly
complex environments they are today. Rainforests represent a store of living
and breathing renewable natural resources that for eons, by virtue of their
richness in both animal and plant species, have contributed a wealth of
resources for the survival and well-being of humankind. These resources have
included basic food supplies, clothing, shelter, fuel, spices, industrial raw
materials, and medicine for all those who have lived in the majesty of the
forest. However, the inner dynamics of a tropical rainforest is an intricate
and fragile system.
In 1983, there were no U.S.
pharmaceutical manufacturers involved in research programs to discover new
drugs or cures from plants. Today, over 100 pharmaceutical companies and
several branches of the US
government, including giants like Merck and The National Cancer Institute, are
engaged in plant research projects for possible drugs and cures for viruses,
infections, cancer, and even AIDS.

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