Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date__________________ Period__________
Medicine Man
The link between human health and rain forests is indisputable. Scientists estimate that as much as ¼ of the world’s
lifesaving drugs stem from tropical plants. Yet, to date only 1% of these jungle plants have been studied for medicinal
purposes. Most of these precious rain forests are located in countries which are burdened with overpopulation, poverty and
debt. To ease these problems, many governments have begun to use rain forests for economic activities that these fragile
jungle ecosystems can’t sustain – two among those activities include logging and farming. So as population pressures threaten
the rain forests’ plant species with extinction, scientists just steps ahead of the bulldozers are scurrying to gather all the
information they can.
During the Movie Answer the Following Questions:
1. In the opening scene, name 2 ways that the rainforests are being destroyed.
2.
How does each of these ways impact the Carbon cycle and the greenhouse effect?
3.
What are the names of the 2 main characters?
4.
Why is it necessary for Dr. Crain to wear a surgical mask and get a physical before interacting with the tribe?
5.
How do Dr. Crain’s qualifications compare to the 3 research assistants requested?
6.
Watch for natural cures Campbell uses (caffeine druges, stuff for lips, headaches). Describe the side effects of the yoco
medicine. Do you think it would meet the Food and Drug Administration guidelines? Why or why not?
7.
What is an aboriginal?
8.
Why is Dr. Crain a judge and jury?
9.
Why do they only give one guinea pig the injection why they all have cancer?
10. What is compound 37? What is the source of compound 37? Why is it so important?
11. What is Deptswa and how did Dr. Campbell take his place?
12. Who is Henry and what is his function?
13. From what plant do they believe the cure for cancer comes? Where does it grow?
14. What was the researcher trying to obtain when the entire tribe of aboriginals was killed by swine flu?
15. Why was there smoke in the distance when Crain and Campbell were in the Canopy?
16. What does Dr. Crain’s “what ifs” represent?
17. Who was responsible for wiping out Macarra?
18. How does Campbell try to give the medicine man back his stick?
19. What caused peak 37?
20. What stick does the medicine man give to Campbell?
21. “Life is strange, but down here it seems so precious.” Dr. Crain says this at the end of the movie. What does this statement
mean to you after seeing this movie?
After the Movie Answer the Following Questions:
1. What are some pros and cons of research in the rain forest?
2.
Should the boy have been given the last bit of working serum? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.
3.
How did the movie represent women? Do you see anything wrong with this? Discuss and explain.
After the Movie Answer the Following Questions:
4. What are some pros and cons of research in the rain forest?
5.
Should the boy have been given the last bit of working serum? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.
6.
How did the movie represent women? Do you see anything wrong with this? Discuss and explain.