[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

  (Mr. GILCHREST asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to discuss an 
interesting story about the Endangered Species Act. As the Resources 
Committee begins to hold hearings on this issue, it is imperative that 
important facts about endangered species and biodiversity be known. The 
ESA is vital to maintaining our natural resources and to maintaining 
our quality of life.
  I would like to illustrate this by discussing an endangered plant 
called the Lake Placid scrub mint which is found in only 300 acres in 
Central Florida. Scientists discovered that insects were not eating 
this rare plant. With further analysis, scientists found the plant 
contained a strong natural insect repellent called trans-pulegol, as 
powerful as any known insect repellent. The possibilities for 
agriculture are enormous.
  Scientists also discovered a symbiotic fungus growing on the plant 
which had evolved only in association with this plant and therefore, 
was an extremely rare fungus. More analysis found this fungus produced 
an agent which had strong antifungal properties, with potential for 
pharmaceutical uses.
  What are the real-life implications of discovering such agents in 
rare plants? Curing an array of diseases.
  The $79 billion pharmaceutical industry relies on natural resources 
for 40 percent of its prescriptions. Rare plants and animals may very 
well hold the key to curing the common cold, AIDS, and cancer.

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