The precipitous decline of medicinal plants threatens the source of future health cure discoveries, reports the BBC

Medical plants 'face extinction'
BBC News
19 January 2008
 
Hundreds of medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease, according to experts.

Over 50% of prescription drugs are derived from chemicals first identified in plants.

But the Botanic Gardens Conservation International said many were at risk from over-collection and deforestation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196702.stm

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