Medicinal benefits of Coral reefs

Finally, coral reefs are sometimes called the “medicine cabinets” of the 21st

century. Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines

being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, heart

disease, viruses and other diseases. Some coral reef organisms produce powerful

chemicals to fend off attackers, scientists continue to research the medicinal

potential of these substances. In the future, coral reef ecosystems could

represent an increasingly important source of medical treatments, nutritional

supplements, pesticides, cosmetics and other commercial products.