Even though less than one percent of rainforest plant species have been tested for their medicinal properties, over 100 prescrip
tion drugs that are sold worldwide today are derived from rainforest plants. Based on this information, which of the following is true? A. The remaining 99% of rainforest plants must be destroyed to maintain biodiversity and to protect the medicinal plants. B. The loss of biodiversity due to deforestation will likely decrease the number of new medicines available in the future. C. Maintaining biodiversity in the rainforest is not important since only about one percent of its plant species are useful. D. Deforestation will help with medicinal research because it increases biodiversity in the rainforest by introducing new plant species.
