abstract

This paper is related to how the ocean can affect and help human beings in

one way or another. One topic that has always peaked my interest was

possiblity of finding cures for diseases in ocean life. A few years ago my great

aunt died from cancer, her death has always made me want to learn more

about cancer and possible cures. One specific specie that has a lot of publicity

in finding cures for cancer is sharks. Sharks have been researched due to the

belief that since they do have a high immune system against cancer and other

deadly diseases, there must be something in their system that is protecting

them from these deadly diseases.

During the mid-1990s, a lot of research has been made on sharks because of
their low incidence of tumors and also on their relatives. This has prompted

biochemists and immunologists to make an effort in looking at sharks and

other aquatic species in different ways. Although this was a new hope in

finding possible cures for cancer and other diseases, recent researh has been

made to disprove that theory that sharks are a possible heros in finding new

cures. With this paper, I will show what the pros and cons in finding new cures
in aquatic life.