Out of nature : why drugs from plants matter to the future of humanity / Kara Rogers.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rogers, Kara.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pharmacognosy.

Natural products.

Drug development.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (216 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Why drugs from plants matter to the future of humanity

Place of Publication:

Tucson : University of Arizona Press, c2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

About half of all species under threat of extinction in the world today are plants. The loss of plant biodiversity is disturbing for many reasons, but especially because it is a reflection of the growing disconnect between humans and nature. Plants have been used for millennia in traditional systems of healing and have held a significant place in drug development for Western medicine as well. Despite the recent dominance of synthetic drug production, natural product discovery remains the backbone of drug development. As the diversity of life on Earth is depleted and increasing numbers of species become lost to extinction, we continue to lose opportunities to achieve advances in medicine. Through stories of drug revelation in nature and forays into botany, human behavior, and conservation, Kara Rogers sheds light on the multiple ways in which humans, medicine, and plants are interconnected. With accessible and engaging writing, she explores the relationships between humans and plants, relating the stories of plant hunters of centuries past and examining the impact of human activities on the environment and the world's biodiversity. Rogers also highlights the role that plant-based products can play in encouraging conservation and protecting the heritage and knowledge of indigenous peoples. "Out of Nature "provides a fresh perspective on modern drug innovation and its relationship with nature. The book delves into the complexity of biophilia--the innate human attraction to life in the natural world--and suggests that the reawakening of this drive is fundamental to expanding conservation efforts and improving medicine. Rogers's examination of plants, humans, and drug discovery also conveys a passionate optimism for the future of biodiversity and medicine. Including a collection of hand-drawn maps and plant illustrations created by the author, this well-researched narrative will inspire as well as inform.

Contents:

Plants and medicine

Humans and plants

The biophilia factor

In earth's garden

Vanishing life

Out of nature

Learning to coexist

The forest for its trees.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-197) and index.

ISBN:

1-299-27650-4

0-8165-9958-0

OCLC:

830085679