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Editor’s note: Conservation and environmental news emerge daily, yet some stories often go unnoticed. This recurring feature by Conservation News highlights significant recent developments you should be aware of.
Exploring Marine Sources for New Pharmaceuticals
Forests have historically been a rich source of medicinal compounds, yielding essential treatments for a variety of ailments. For example, approximately 25% of the medicines utilized in developed regions originate from plant sources. In contrast, in developing nations, the percentage can rise to as much as 80%.
Recently, researchers have turned their focus to the oceans, revealing a promising frontier for pharmaceutical development. Currently, a total of 21 marine-derived drugs have received approval for medical use, with exciting advancements including a novel antiviral derived from a Mediterranean sea squirt that is now undergoing clinical trials as a potential treatment for COVID-19, as reported by Scientific American.
The Role of Sea Squirts in Pharmaceutical Research
Sea squirts, classified as tunicates, are crucial contributors to marine pharmacology. Among the notable compounds extracted from these creatures is plitidepsin, a new antiviral agent.
These organisms consume plankton by filtering it through specialized structures. In this process, they inadvertently gather viruses and pathogens, necessitating the development of robust chemical defenses. Such defenses present a potential reservoir for new medicinal compounds, as highlighted by researcher Stephanie Stone.
The Connection Between Sea Squirts and Marine Microbes
A key revelation in recent research is that many of the therapeutic substances previously attributed to sea squirts are actually produced by the microbes that inhabit them. This microbial community forms a symbiotic relationship with the sea squirts, suggesting that unexplored marine microbes could be vital for developing new pharmacological agents. The ongoing pandemic has emphasized the urgent need for diversifying drug options to effectively tackle emerging infectious diseases and combat increasing antibiotic resistance.
Environmental Concerns and the Threat of Deep-Sea Mining
As the exploration of marine pharmaceuticals progresses, there lies a significant concern regarding the impending initiation of deep-sea mining. This practice, which involves scraping the ocean floor to extract valuable metals like manganese and nickel, poses severe risks to marine ecosystems, threatening a multitude of species and habitats.
The International Seabed Authority, a UN agency responsible for regulating activities in international waters, recently ended negotiations to establish essential environmental protections, potentially allowing mining operations to advance in the coming year without adequate safeguards.
With over 80% of ocean environments remaining unexplored, the ecological repercussions of such mining initiatives are still poorly understood. The sediment plumes, noxious agents, and noise produced during mining could adversely affect marine biodiversity, with severe implications for deep-sea ecosystems, where organisms like certain corals and sea sponges have lived for hundreds or thousands of years.
Expert Insights on Deep-Sea Mining Implications
Emily Pidgeon, the Vice President for Ocean Science at Conservation International, emphasized the unpredictable nature of mining impacts on deep-sea ecosystems. She stated, “Before any mining can begin, scientific research must first clarify if and how deep-sea mining might be possible without endangering ecosystems that are still largely unknown.”
For more comprehensive coverage on this subject, read the full article here.
FURTHER READING:
For those interested in similar topics, additional insights and articles are available through various conservation and scientific channels.
Source
www.conservation.org