The Editor, Sir:

The recent research findings on Jamaican plants extracts which were analysed to determine their potential to prevent and treat five types of cancer - melanoma, prostate cancer, Kaposi's Sarcoma, non-hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer - must be seen as a bonanza in health care and a most significant advance in cancer research. Of particular significance is lifestyle diseases, the number one killer of which the cancer syndrome is a major component.

Interestingly, this research is centred on indigenous Jamaican plant species, which contain the potential for killing the cancer cells. Natural products are the most consistently successful source of drugs. Plants supply most of the active ingredients of traditional medicinal products. Mother nature with billions of years of biodiversification and countless compounds of natural origins contains potential no scientist can yet envision. There could be many more 'Jack Pots' similar to this project out there in nature.

This breakthrough could be a wake-up call for the need for modern medicine and science to turn their attention to the plant world once again to find new medicines that might cure cancer, AIDS, diabetes and many other disorders and conditions.

Dr. Henry Lowe, who specialises in medicinal chemistry, must be commended for his vision and perseverance in this project, which undoubtedly will abound to the credit of Jamaica and to the benefit of mankind worldwide. Progress is only made by people who will not stop thinking.

I am, etc.,

Dr. VANCE LANNAMAN, N.M.D.

naturaldoc@cwjamaica.com

Kingston