Human Needs

The Pet Trade The capture and sale of animals from tropical forests is thought to be the second biggest cause of species loss. We find out what is fuelling this trade and what can be done to limit the damage it causes.
Chocolate: a sweet cure? Could eating chocolate each day keep the doctor away? An ancient remedy known to the Aztecs, chocolate is known to reduce blood cholesterol and help prevent heart disease - and the darker the chocolate the better!	Logging The trade in tropical hardwoods is one of the main reasons for the destruction of the rainforests. We look at ways that you can help reduce the impact of unsustainable forestry practices and illegal logging on the world's rainforests.		Safe sex starts with the wild yam The wild yam has changed day-to-day life for millions of people throughout the world. Diosgenin, extracted from its underground stem, forms the basis of the modern birth control pill as well as being used in the manufacture of human sex hormones.
Cash Crops Worldwide, the greatest loss of rainforests has been due to the clearing of land for agriculture. What can we all do about this?		Cancer cured by the rosy periwinkle The rosy periwinkle produces powerful alkaloids used to treat childhood leukaemia and Hodgkins' disease.

The Pet Trade