Final answer:
Animal venoms and poisons are important sources for creating new medications treating hypertension, chronic pain, diabetes, and other diseases. Significant pharmaceutical research is dedicated to exploring these natural compounds, underpinning the direct link between biodiversity and medical discovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pharmaceuticals derived from animals represent a crucial area of research for the development of new medications. In recent years, animal venoms and poisons have been the focus of research due to their medicinal potential. Drugs such as those for treating hypertension, chronic pain, and diabetes have been developed based on animal toxins. By 2007, the FDA had approved five such drugs, with more undergoing clinical trials or being used in other countries. Toxins from a diverse range of animals, such as snakes, lizards, and even octopuses, are being investigated for their potential in pharmaceutics.
Research and development in pharmaceutical companies allocate significant resources to natural compounds, with roughly one third of their budget being devoted to such research. This has led to approximately 35 percent of new drugs brought to market between 1981 and 2002 being derived from natural sources. It underscores how biodiversity is critical for continuing to expand our arsenal of medicines. Notably, psychological benefits also accrue from biodiversity, as posited by E.O. Wilson, which might aid in human health and well-being.