Imagine a world where humans were extinct. It’s seems far fetched right? Well, that’s a reality for too many species. Extinction rates have been rising because of many factors, including overfishing, overhunting and habitat loss. There have been five mass extinctions in our history, and some scientists say we are on the brink of the sixth one. “In the last five hundred years, 869 species have gone extinct” (Species Extinctions the Facts). There is a critical need to keep endangered species in conservation, if we don’t we could lose medical treatments, health benefits, and balanced ecosystems.
One of the many benefits we receive from different animals is in medical field. “In the United States, 56 percent of the 150 most popular prescribed drugs are linked to discoveries of natural compounds found in the wild” (Westbrook). These compounds come from species like the Pacific Yew, Houston Toad, Tarantulas, Gila Monsters, Sponges, and Horseshoe Crabs. All of these animals help provide treatment for serious diseases like cancer, heart and nerve disorders, diabetes, fungus and more. For example the “Pacific Yew was considered a “trash” tree and was burned after clearing out forests in the Pacific Northwest in order to provide …show more content…
Forests purify our air, making it healthier to breathe. “Every year, we lose an area equal to the size of England of tropical forests(Endangered Species International). This does not only make the trees disappear, but the animals go along with them. The more animals we lose, the less food people native to these areas have. In poorer countries, people rely on different species for their food, shelter and medical treatments. For instance, places in Asia kill tigers for their skin, bones, teeth, and claws. They believe that they heal toothaches while protecting them against malicious curses and other small