The Rainforest Debate: the Arguments Behind It

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Deforestation is the mass destruction of trees by man. It causes serious environmental problems, on the other hand however it provides a huge source of income for developing countries. This brings about the ‘rainforest debate’ and in my opinion it is the environmentalist who should, without a doubt, triumph. Their case has been put forward so strongly that it has convinced me that saving the rainforests is the right thing not only for the present but even more for the future. When you read about how hundreds of live saving drugs are found in rainforests how can you accept the destruction of them. It has been estimated by scientists that over a quarter of all pharmaceutical products are made using extracts of rainforest plants. Cancer cures are most likely to come from rainforests as such intense medicine can only be gained using the rare minerals found in rainforests.  Emetine is a key example of a possible cancer cure found in the rainforest.

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Many drugs have already been found in the rainforests, some of which are essential for medical practices. These include a muscle-relaxing drug used in operations and cortisone. Cures for glaucoma and hoping cough have also been established.

        Not only do rainforests indirectly save lives, they also play a vita role in the global ecosystem. They are a key factor in the carbon cycle: they absorb carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere and replace it with oxygen vital to humans. If the tress were destroyed then less carbon dioxide will be absorbed and even more will be released when ...

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