THIRD HEADLINE

SCIENTISTS AND SHAMANS SEEK CURES IN PLANTS. THE PROBLEM: PLANTS - VICTIMS OF TROPICAL DEFORESTATION - ARE DISAPPEARING

FASTER THAN THEY CAN BE INVESTIGATED

In the never-ending search for cures for such maladies(Def. 1) as AIDS, cancer, and heart disease, a few U.S. drug companies have recently begun studying the curative properties(Def. 5) of the tropical plants and herbs used by the medicine men(Def. 1) of indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, deforestation is causing widespread(Def. 1) extinction of many of those plants.

If the research shows that the plants can be used to produce marketable(Def. 1) drugs, the companies intend to invest some of their profits in order to promote conservation in those areas threatened.