The rainforest is a dense, tropical forest in a region having a high annual rainfall. Rainforest are found mainly in South and Central America (the Amazon), West and Central Africa, Indonesia, parts of Southeast Asia, and tropical Australia. There is no one kind of rainforest although scientists divide them into three broad categories: tropical dry forests, tropical moist forests, and true tropical rainforests. (Britannica Article, 2001)

Did you know that the rainforests covered over 15% of the earth’s land surface just 15 years ag

The discussion of the major reasons for the destruction of the rainforest reveals that it would be necessary to find alternate, sustainable ways of economic exploitation of the rainforest if it is to be saved. Even a cursory look at the alternative, sustainable way is to exploit the potential of the rainforest as a source for undiscovered medicines.

It may not be commonly known that Rainforests currently provide sources for one-fourth of today's medicines, 121 prescription drugs currently sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources, and 70% of the plants having anti-cancer properties are found only in the rainforest. The most interesting thing is that scientists have so far tested less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants. (Rainforest Facts, n.d.).

The Causes of Rainforest Destruction.(n.d.) Rainforest Information Center: Educational Supplement. Retrieved on October 02, 2001 from http://forests.org/ric/background/causes.htm

It has been demonstrated that if medicinal plants, fruits, nuts, oils, rubber, chocolate or chicle (used to make chewing gum) is grown in a sustainable manner instead of the direct destruction of the forest for use as timber or for unsuitable agricultural crops, it can be more economically profitable. However, such profits would accrue in the long-term and it would take sustained effort, investment and planning in order to make such ideas successful.

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