Y.O!

[Ed.’s notes: Part of a series of posts on environmentalism and conservation to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Read the full news article that inspired this post here] 

Outline of news report:

1.    2008 designated as the frog year so as to promote public awareness on the declining population of amphibians.

2.    The significant disappearance of frogs generates a negative impact on humans. These include the disruption of the ecosystem, with a certain population diminishing, a drop in biodiversity and the dwindling of sources for medicines.

3.    Researches in the recent years show that frog skins proffer an array of uses for humans. Hence, the solicitation for protection towards amphibians.

Now, it seems that not only environmentalists are soliciting the public to care for the environment and the living things around it, amateurs and professors in the biomedical department are also getting anxious over this, especially so for frogs. They have discovered the myriad of uses these amphibians are able to deluge us with. Being scientifically known as the cold-blooded creatures, they might not be as “cold-hearted” after all. Laboratory experiments have proven frogs as a potential source of bioactive and pharmaceutical products.

Firstly, frogs possess a special gland which concocts complex chemical compounds including alkaloids with anaesthetic properties, peptides with antibiotic properties and enzymes with anti-tumour properties, etc. Secondly, frogs’ skin is a form of sticky natural glue which aids greatly in the repair of torn cartilage. As the world progresses towards an ageing population, the science fields in various countries start racking their brains to think of better technological advancements to prevent being a geriatric poorhouse. As one ages, cartilages between joins start to wear off, hence this new discovery in frogs is a tool to success in taking care of this mature population.

On top of that, anti-freeze is one of frogs’ traits, thus, it assists laboratory works e.g. storage of human organs. There might also be a relief to the amputees as scientists research on frogs limbs, which have regeneration properties. This same theory may be applied to humans as well.

Other than the uses, the presence of frogs and other amphibians are also crucial in maintaining a healthy ecosystem with a rich biodiversity. A shrinking population of amphibian may just disrupt the entire ecosystem, exacerbating Mother Earth’s wounds.

In conclusion, frogs have proven beneficial to us and the world scientists are exclaiming for help to save them. However, other than these amphibians, we must also learn to treasure and conserve our environment. We never know what uses they may proffer. By the time we know, it may be too late to reverse the damage we have constructed.

Contributed by Issac Lee, 15
Y.O! blogger

Thoughts expressed in the post are those of the author. NLB does not necessarily share or endorse the views of contributing writers. Minimal editing has been done to present the contribution in its original form as much as possible.

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