The rapid development of technology could unleash the world’s nature reserves of tropical vegetation and become a treasure trove of new drugs. A team of researchers at JCU’s Institute for Tropical Health Medicine has completed a two-year comprehensive review to improve the way new medical compounds are found in nature to address existing and emerging infectious tropical diseases.
Dr. Connie Says there is vast indigenous knowledge of the medicinal use of tropical plants. Little is known about the active compounds that underlie these plants. These plants may hold the key to combatting many diseases. The question remains, however: How does Western Science work and share this knowledge, with the indigenous and not just steal and profit from it.