‘Take the example of the Madagascar periwinkle. It was once used in traditional medicine and when scientists researched it further, they discovered it contained two compounds – vinblastine and vincristine – that reduce the number of white blood cells in the body. Those alkaloids have been developed to provide a key substance used in chemotherapy for the treatment of various cancers. It revolutionised the treatment of childhood leukaemia, in particular. Just imagine how many young lives have been saved by that little plant. Just imagine how many more such discoveries could be out there, waiting
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