ent, which in 1995 spent approximately $55 million on marine biotechnology” (Burris 235).
Studying marine organisms with modern techniques has often provided researchers with models for biological and biomedical research. For example, the squid and its giant nerve axon have revealed a great deal about nerve transmission. The horseshoe crab eye has helped solve many mysteries regarding vision. Surf clams are used to help understand the cell cycle and how to control it. Sea urchins provide information regarding the molecular and cellular bases of reproduction and development. Sharks and skates have taught researchers a great deal about immunology and vision. However, there are also other types of classes of marine organisms which encompass a large variety of molecules with novel structural aspects. These molecules often serve as the first step in leading researchers to develop new biomedical products. Scientists believe that since many marine species have evolved the production of chemicals for protection against predation, infection and competition, that they may provide essential clues to helping produce pharmaceuticals that will help treat or cure cancer, inflammation, arthritis and viral infections. Most marine scientists agree that marine organisms, once we discover, analyze and learn to understand their unique properties, hold the key to a multitude of useful human applications, “Marine organisms synthesize numerous chemicals with bioactive properties: metabolites, proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, lipids and other materials which have direct application in health and life science. Determining the physiological and environmental role of many of these materials is likely to lead to new industrial processes and applications, for example, in bioremediation and in control of pests or diseases” (Applications 1).
The marine environment is still largely unexplored. Many of pharmaceutical industry leaders as well...