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Simulation: The Extraction Of The Prunus Africana

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Simulation: The Extraction Of The Prunus Africana
Simulation Paper
SCI/362
December 5th, 2011 Willise Riche, M.D.

Simulation Paper There are thousands of pharmaceutical companies in the world today who thrive on rainforests around the world for its plants and trees for production of different herbal remedies. The rainforests account for majority of the world’s plants and animals and produce a high amount of the world’s oxygen. Also the rainforest are home to different Indian Tribes such as the Kikuyu Tribe. The global population continues to grow and so does the demand for more forest products such as the Prunus Africana tree. Supply and demand of these trees is an issue that needs to be addressed ethically by the stakeholders involved that’s positive for everyone involved. …show more content…
It takes a period of 20 years for the Prunus Africana to grow to 30 meters or more. That is one reason there are only a limited number of Prunus Africana found in Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The extraction of pulverized, dark bark of Prunus Africana is the reason for high demand on these trees for production of drugs for prostate issues. The Prunus Africana is currently being harvested out of eastern highlands of Kenya in the Aberdares Mountains. The Aberdares Mountains are the home to the Kikuyu Tribe, the largest ethnic tribe in the country. The Kikuyu Tribe has been around since the colonial times, and they have serious influence on political and economic issues in Kenya. Most Kikuyus people live in or around the fertile ground of the central highlands and Mount Kenya. The Kikuyus people are known for farming tea and coffee because of the volcanic highlands along Mount Kenya. The majority of the Kikuyus people are very well educated because of their economic success in the past. Today the Kikuyus maintain their economic stability and continue to dominate leadership and politics in Kenya ("Kenya Information Guide", …show more content…
Colney & Pitts needs the Prunus Africana for the extraction of pulverized, dark bark to manufacture the herbal remedies they produce to treat prostate illnesses. The International Center for Ethnobotanical wants to protect the environment and the Kikuyu Tribe and look out for the best interests. EcoSmiles do not want to disrupt the already vulnerable ecosystem and suggest that Colney & Pitts should harvest the trees in their own country. Some of these issues that arise by each stakeholder competing priorities are questions such as why is it more important to harvest these trees for men over 50 with prostate illnesses? What makes the people suffering from prostate illnesses more important than the rainforest and tribes that call the rainforest home? Why should Colney & Pitts pay the Kikuyu Tribe when the government has already agreed to the program? How will Colney & Pitts protect the Prunus Africana from poachers and other companies wanting to harvest the trees as well? These are just some of the issues and questions that have arisen so
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