Explain why protecting surviving rainforests from deforestation is important to fighting cancer.

Answer:

Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in cancer-fighting drugs are derived from rainforest organisms. And since only 1% of rainforest organisms have been tested for their anticancer properties this means there are many other potential drugs waiting to be discovered. If the rainforest organisms are destroyed before they can be tested, then many potential drugs might be lost before humans can discover them.