Overview: 

Coral reefs have massive effects on the medical industry. They are currently being studied and some believe that they hold the cure for diseases such as cancer or HIV. Corals contain proteins that cause them to glow, which also can aid in the production of food or serve as sunscreen on humans. Scientists are still currently researching the potential effects these proteins have on working against cancer. Scientists have already discovered that coral hasan enzyme called secosteriods. This enzyme has been studied, and medical scientists realized that it can treat many common diseases. This enzyme that coral produces has been used to treat multiple inflammatory diseases (such as asthma or arthritis).​​

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Medical Benefits:

Coral, while still in the process of being researched, has already been shown to have many benefits in the medical industry. Coral has contributed to medications/cures of the following “issues:”

• Cancer

Bryozoan Bugula neritina, a common fouling organism that’s found in coral in both temperate and tropical climates, is a source for the anti-cancer compound bryostatin 1. The U.S. 

National Cancer Institute recently collected more than 26,000 pounds of the organism from docks and pilings with little impact on the population.

• Arthritis/Inflammatory disease

A soft coral called the Caribbean sea whip has organic chemicals which seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect on human skin.

• Heart disease

• (Certain) Effects of aging

• Viruses

• Tumors

Blue-green algae found near coral reefs have been used to treat small-cell cancer and minor tumors, preventing potential blood clots.

• Cardiovascular Diseases

• Lukyema

• Lymphoma

• Ulcers

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Potential Losses:

If coral is not researched properly, there are many potential losses. There is a lack in current research in coral reefs, and this has resulted in many potential cures for diseases not being solved. Coral reefs are 300-400 times more likely to hold the cure to a disease than any terrestrial life. It is also estimated that under 10% of coral reefs have been sufficiently researched - the other 90% holds undiscovered biodiversity with potential life saving organic chemicals.

Scientists have talked about the need to invest in coral reefs while they are still around. A marine scientist at the Nature Conservancy industry said that “A devastating loss of biodiversity could mean that fewer species will be around for future medicinal research and biomedical studies.” If coral reefs continue to die at the rate they do, it would be as if the medical industry lost a treasure that they never even got to open. The US and other developed countries are only just starting to really invest in researching the reefs. Already, however, areas have had 90% of their reefs lost to bleaching. The race is on to research the reefs.