Background
Undoubtedly, coral reefs have played an integral role in our oceans for thousands of years. They are home to countless species: mollusks, worms, cnidarians, fish, sponges, and crustaceans, just to name a few. Frequently labeled "rainforests of the sea," coral reefs are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. In fact, despite occupying only 0.1% of the surface of our ocean, over a quarter of marine species live in these reefs. The genetic diversity present in these corals is unmatched by any other ecosystem in the world. While it has been known for centuries how beneficial this diversity is to marine life, humans are just really beginning to understand how valuable these ecosystems are to our survival as well, especially in the form of medicine.
The medicinal uses of organisms found in coral reefs was first recognized by Eastern cultures as far back as the 14th century. In China, Japan, and Taiwan, stimulants were extracted from seahorses and proved useful in a number of illness' including skin disorders, kidney and liver diseases, sexual disorders, respiratory and circulatory infections, and general muscle pain. The Palauan society used gallbladders from numerous fish species in order to aid poisonous stings and bites from other marine animals. Real progress in accessing and developing chemical compounds and genetic material found in marine species, however, was not made until the last few decades. With the arrival of new technology, isolated and deepwater reefs are now more easily accessible, as well as the ability to reexamine fish previously studied in a much more detailed fashion. Moreover, the potential impact that these coral reefs could have in the world of medicine is unparalleled. While almost half of the medicines used today originate from terrestrial plants, microorganisms, and animals, the marine environment is just being explored, and nowhere close to reaching its full capability. Despite their potential, not all countries have jumped on board. While Japan has invested nearly $1 billion each year for the past decade, the United States uses less than 1% of its biotechnology Research and Development budget ($55 million as of 1996). Experts believe that increased U.S. funding will occur in the next few years however, as according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the marine biotechnology industry has a projected annual growth of 15-20% through 2018. |
Refernces
1. http://issues.org/18-3/p_bruckner/
2. http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcorals/values/medicine/#c
2. http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcorals/values/medicine/#c