Re: Why is greek and latin used for scientific terms?

One word: Tradition.

Greek and Latin were traditionally the languages of learning, and Latin in 
particular was the universal Western language, allowing scholars and other 
educated people from different countries to converse, until first French and 
then English took its place.

Latin and Greek remained priveleged languages until quite recently; it has
been only in the last 50 years or so that they have ceased to be required 
subjects in colleges and universities. Since taxonomic nomenclature, in 
particular, has been in Latin since Linnaeus, this has created problems for 
those who have to name new species, such as newly-discovered dinosaurs! 
Usually they have to go to a Classical scholar for help these days...

                                              Dan Berger