Final answer:
Artificial drugs were made to mimic natural remedies for easier mass production, enhance potency, and handle natural resource shortages. Synthetic versions allowed for consistent quality, stability, and cost reduction. Nevertheless, preserving biodiversity is crucial for future pharmaceutical discoveries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial drugs were initially made to mimic natural remedies for mass production, create more potent remedies, and overcome shortages of natural resources. Pharmaceuticals improve the quality of lives and are a significant industry, majorly drawing from the diverse biological compounds found in nature. Historically, many such medications were derived from plants and animal toxins, but as the quest for cost-efficiency and mass production grew, synthetic versions of these natural compounds became prevalent.
Synthetic medicines have allowed for more consistent quality control, a stable supply that does not depend on the unpredictability of natural crop yields or wildlife populations, and often enhanced potency or reduced side effects when compared to their natural counterparts. Moreover, the synthesis of drugs can lead to cost reductions and help address challenges associated with the extraction and purification of natural substances.
Continuous research is vital to discover new medicinal compounds in nature, as about 35 percent of drugs brought to market between 1981 and 2002 were derived from natural compounds. However, the loss of biodiversity poses a threat to the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats and species.