Word: wilson
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...noted evolutionary biology expert, Wilson said that scientists have only identified between 5 and 30 percent of the Earth's species, and said a worldwide survey of species is necessary to better understand just how many species are threatened by extinction...
...also said such a survey would provide a good basis for future research. "It is more important to find all the species than to map the human genome," said Wilson...
...Wilson added that the survey would reveal new commercial uses for many endangered forms of vegatation. He said that although rain forests are often destroyed for commercial reasons, preserving flora can be economically advantageous...
...This is the first time in 150 million years that flora is being destroyed to such an extent," Wilson said. "Even with present technology if you know what you are doing, you can get more money by using undisturbed forest than by cutting the forest down for lumber," he said...
...Wilson cited the example of the rosy periwinkle, a plant in Madagascar that contains two alkaloids used to cure both Hodgkin's disease and acute childhood lympathic leukemia. The plant is the basis for a $100 million industry...