Environmental Health Center

EnvironMinute Health Scripts

Certain corals use chemicals to protect themselves — chemicals that fight cancer as well. Now scientists have replicated these compounds. Stop by nature's pharmacy on today's EnvironMinute. [:11]

Not every coral can make a cancer drug. But two rare species have been found to produce a protective toxin that also shows promise as a tumor suppressant. One of these compounds is chemically similar to taxol, the drug made from the yew tree that's shown great potential fighting breast tumors and other cancers. But until recently, getting the cancer drugs meant destroying the rare corals. Now scientists can make them synthetically. This feat was accomplished at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in California. One of the drugs can be made from the vegetable oil found in dill seeds. This breakthrough means doctors can fight cancer while these rare corals can be left alone to use their toxins to fight off their own threats. [:38]

The EnvironMinute is produced in cooperation with the National Safety Council and made possible by the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Foundation. [:10]

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