Joshua Lederberg | Mar 16, 1997 | 7 min read
The conservation of biodiversity is a universally applauded good, bringing to mind the aesthetic values of elegant felines and brilliantly plumaged birds. The rain forest and other plants have also been the source of many important pharmaceuticals, which can be assessed for their economic and health-giving powers. We need but mention familiar examples like quinine and aspirin (and we cannot ignore morphine and cocaine-albeit opium poppies and coca bushes are in no danger of extinction). We shou