Global Warming Pose Dire Threat to Coral Reefs, Revealing Expanded Benefits for Human Health at UN Ocean Conference

"Stunning coral reefs, nature's storm barriers and carbon champions... Besides their dazzling ocean floor decor, these vibrant organisms play a crucial role in human welfare. For researchers who've spent decades studying them, there's a chance these colorful creatures could do even more - cure cancers, combat HIV, heal wounds! But as the third UN Ocean Conference breaks waves in Nice from June 9 to 13, this medical potential is at risk from the warming ocean that's bleaching nearly 84% of our coral reefs. In a 2°C warmer world, almost all could vanish due to our greenhouse gas emissions."

Yet, these organisms have a hidden treasure chest of medicinal prowess, as traditional Chinese medicine has used corals as early as the 17th century for vision improvement, calming the mind, and treating epilepsy. Modern scientific research has unearthed even more possibilities, earning corals the nickname of the "21st century medicine cabinet." However, as Denis Allemand, former director of Monaco's Scientific Center, points out, creating a drug requires resources easily accessible and abundant in quantity, which is a challenge for corals.

In the race against time, the threats to coral reefs loom large. Over the past two years, the rapid escalation of ocean temperatures has caused nearly 84% of coral reefs to suffer bleaching. If the planet warms by just 2°C compared to the pre-industrial era, these essential marine lifeform could disappear due to our greenhouse gas emissions.

On the brighter side, these organisms and the diverse ecosystems that thrive in them have defended themselves through hell and high water, adapting to constant changes in water temperature, salinity, and acidity over 250 million years. They've developed powerful defense systems, as Denis Allemand explains, making them treasure troves of untapped potential.

From stemming the proliferation of cancer cells to battling bacteria, viruses, fungi, and skin diseases like psoriasis, there's a vast panel of coral-derived molecules that answer contemporary medical needs. To avoid pitfalls and preserve these remarkable healing agents, progress lies in a different direction – genetic sequencing. Monaco-based startup Coraliotech is leading this mission, focusing on coral DNA rather than the corals themselves. By identifying and synthesizing coral molecules in lab-grown cell cultures, they can produce quantities large enough for dermatological and medicinal applications.

But time is running out. As Pascale Joannot, president of the Mer Foundation's scientific council and former director of expeditions at the National Museum of Natural History, warns, when a coral ecosystem dies, it takes with it species that could potentially lead to groundbreaking medical discoveries. We still have much to learn about the ocean. "We discover new marine organisms every year," Joannot notes. In fact, during an expedition to Ouvéa, New Caledonia, in 2024, scientists discovered over 90 new species for the local archipelago and 60 entirely new species to science.

In conclusion, Denis Allemand summarizes that although the medical potential of corals is not as significant as their primary role in our lives, preserving them is crucial for maintaining their myriad services, including providing a home for potential medical discoveries. As our oceans cry out for help, our actions now shall shape the future of these wondrous ecosystems and the lives they enrich.

The hidden medicinal prowess of corals, which has been recognized for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, is currently a potential source for combating modern medical conditions such as cancers, HIV, and skin diseases like psoriasis, due to their diverse molecules capable of battling bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
In an effort to preserve these valuable healing agents and avoid pitfalls, researchers like those at Monaco-based startup Coraliotech are focusing on genetic sequencing, aiming to identify and synthesize coral molecules in lab-grown cell cultures, producing quantities suitable for dermatological and medicinal applications.
Warning of the potential loss of species with medical applications, Pascale Joannot stresses the importance of understanding the ocean better, as new marine organisms are discovered every year, some of which could lead to significant medical breakthroughs. Thus, preserving coral reefs and their rich ecosystems would not just maintain their contributions to health and wellness, but also future life-saving discoveries.