The Role of Chemistry in History

Introduction to Paclitaxel | From Tree to Taxol | Paclitaxel and Cancer Treatment | Inside Paclitaxel: Physical Characteristics | Paclitaxel: Effective or Too Costly? | Paclitaxel’s Affect on History | History’s Affect on Paclitaxel | References

Pacliatxel, developed initially from the Taxus brevifolia or Pacific yew tree in 1967, underwent many stages of development prior to reaching the level it is used today. Arthur S. Barclay’s work in collecting and discovering the taxol molecule from the bark of the yew tree on the Pacific coast of Washington set in motion many stages of synthesis and debate over the molecule.