Final answer:
Rhino horns are incorrectly assumed to cure diseases like cancer, heart disease, AIDS, or diabetes, but there is no evidence supporting this. CITES' resolution emphasizes the need for international cooperation to protect these endangered species and maintain biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rhino horns are mistakenly believed to be a cure for various ailments, but there is no scientific evidence supporting their efficacy in treating cancer, heart disease, AIDS, or diabetes. The myth that rhino horns possess medicinal properties, particularly as an aphrodisiac, has led to the drastic decline of rhino populations due to poaching. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has enacted measures to protect rhinos in the wild, acknowledging that their conservation is an issue requiring international cooperation. While some animal toxins have indeed been researched for medical use and have led to FDA-approved drugs, these are usually derived from specific animals like snakes, lizards, and various marine creatures, not from rhino horns. Protecting rhinos is also significant for biodiversity and inspires global concern for wildlife conservation. Despite the international efforts, rhinoceroses in Asia, like the black rhinoceros, are at risk and their loss could severely impact overall biodiversity.