Cancer Cure or Conservation

By Pauline A. Lizotte, Gretchen E. Knapp

Abstract

This case is based on the controversy that surrounded harvesting of the Pacific yew from 1989 to 1997 to develop paclitaxel (Taxol), a revolutionary anti-cancer drug. The case was designed to expose students to basic conservation biology concepts by examining competing needs among scientists and other stakeholders in a real-life science-and-society scenario. Developed for a undergraduate introductory biology course for non-majors, the case could also be used in an environmental science course or in a course on the impact of science and technology on society.

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Date Posted

08/04/2003

Overview

Objectives

To learn about the risks and benefits of bio-prospecting.
To learn about ethnobotany and its importance to the drug industry.
To examine the direct and indirect benefits of T. brevifolia in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem.
To learn about the anti-cancer drug Taxol and the controversy surrounding its production.
To explore the complexity of scientific work and its interactions with public policy.
To gain a better appreciation of the complexities involved in land use decisions.

Keywords

Taxol; paclitaxel; Taxus brevifolia; T. brevifolia; anti-cancer drug; bioprospecting; bio-prospecting; drug development; Pacific Northwest ecosystem; ethnobotany; Pacific Yew Act of 1992; Quinault

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Botany / Plant Science

Environmental Science

Natural Resource Management

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Policy issues, Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Dilemma/Decision, Discussion

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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