In conclusion, organic halides are very interesting compounds. One can say that they are "surprisingly ironic". When the chlorine from disinfecting water comes in contact with organic compounds they turn into hazardous carcinogenic compounds, such as trihalomethanes. The chlorine compounds from bleaching processes in kraft factories may also prove to be carcinogenic. But new research shows that cryptophycin (an organochloride extracted from blue-green algae) can be used as an anticancer drug. Trihalomethanes and cryptophycin are both organic halides but both are exactly opposite to one another. Trihalomethanes may cause cancer while cryptophycins may cure it.

     There is another "surprisingly ironic" fact about organic halides. It should be noted how research shows that MX (a toxic organic halide from chlorinating the public water) may cause cancerous tumors and damage to thyroid glands. But on the other hand, maracen ( a chlorinated fungal metabolite) and spongistatin (a chlorine containing sponge metabolite) have anti-tumor activity and these compounds have a high prospect of being used as medication to treat tumors. Therefore, organic halides can form tumors and they may one day be used to treat tumors.

     Plants exposed to too much chlorinated water may result in damaging the body's immune system for humans when they are consumed. HIV is a disease that also attacks the immune system. But there is new research that gives hope to people with HIV. Organic halides from marine animals are capable of inhibiting HIV viruses. They may be our next cure to HIV.                 

      One can say that it is almost amusing how organic halides can cause cancer, tumors, and weak immune systems and yet also be the heroes in fighting all of these diseases and sicknesses. But it should be noted how these carcinogenic and tumor causing organic halides did not form naturally. Humans are altering components of water to cause these toxic compounds to form. We are changing nature. Even after hurting nature, and in the process hurting ourselves, we always come back to nature to fix our problems. The earth is rich with so many different compound and minerals, many yet to be found, that there is always hope that we will find our cure. But just dwelving on the cures will not solve our problems. We need to stop the problems from starting. We need to use alternate methods of disinfecting water; alternate methods that already exist and are being used in many European countries. We also need to find better ways to prevent chlorine from being let out as waste in kraft factories. This is the only way we can protect ourselves.

     We need to educate ourselves about the dangers and toxicity of organic halides and try to inform the government about our concerns before it is too late.