Humankind is now able to explore places that were once impossible to access. Remote operated submarines equipped with pressure and water resistant cameras and robotic arms can document and retrieve samples from extreme environments. Samples from long-living organisms that don't move around, like deep sea corals, show they are able to defend themselves with chemicals. Some of these compounds have huge potential for new drugs that are antibiotic, anti-microbal, antiviral and even anti-cancer! With new drug resistant bacteria, these compounds are exciting in the biotechnology and medical arenas.
As with everything humans explore for commercial use, there is always a tricky balance to maintain.
#bioprospecting #deepseadiscoveries #oceanchemistry #poshtide