[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3338]
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 bring to your 
attention two little known animals that are very important to the 
pharmaceutical industry in the United States. The existence of these 
animals brings new hope to high blood pressure sufferers and heart 
attack victims in this country.
  First, high blood pressure sufferers look to the pit viper to provide 
an entirely new generation of extremely effective antihypertensives. 
Compounds found in the venom of these snakes have lead to greater 
understanding of the human mechanism for maintaining blood pressure. 
However, number of pit viper species are threatened with extinction.
  Second, the Houston toad, on the brink of extinction due to habitat 
loss, produces alkaloids which scientists believe may prevent heart 
attacks. These alkaloids also appear to have analgesic properties more 
powerful than morphine. The Houston toad is native to the United 
States.
  At least 500 species and subspecies of plants and animals in the 
United States have become extinct since the 1500's. Could one of those 
long-gone species have held the cure to AIDS, cancer, or the common 
cold?
  Let us reauthorize a workable Endangered Species Act.

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