Good Venom

CEBU, Philippines - Rarely do we hear of poisonous insects, marine animals and reptiles do anything good for anyone.

But as it turns out, nature’s venomous creatures do have a “good side” to them, taking shape in how their venom can be utilized in resolving a number of medical concerns or even save lives.

Below are three examples of how poisonous venom have and could be of good use to society as a whole.

The Antivenom

By definition, antivenom is described as a biological product that is used in treating the bites (or stings) of venomous creatures.

Working on the base principles of how vaccines are made, antivenom for venomous bites or stings, are derived – in a process called “milking” – from venomous creatures themselves, then introduced in small/diluted doses to animals (mostly horses, sheep or goats), for the purpose of allowing the animals to build up antibodies that would work against the effects.

Those built-up antibodies are then “harvested” from the animals, and can be used as treatment for a number of poisonous bites and stings from different venomous creatures like cobras, scorpions, spiders, etc.

The Conus magus’ venom as a non-addictive painkiller

Studies delving into the painkiller aspects of the poisons of sea snails have been active, looking into them as alternatives to mainstay painkillers.

The cone snail is often talked about in this regard, given the fact that the drug ziconotide is derived from the Conus magus (also popularly known as the “Magical Cone” or “Magician’s Cone”) toxin.  As a drug, ziconotide is generally described as a more potent painkiller than morphine, one that doesn’t come with addictive side effects.

Other studies delving into the cone snail venom’s potential positive implications in the field of healthcare covers the areas of anesthetics, with studies also looking into its potential positive implications in controlling the adverse effects of diabetes.

The Brazilian Wandering Spider’s venom as treatment for erectile dysfunction

In 2010, the Guinness World Records pegged the Brazilian Wandering Spider as the world’s most venomous spider.

Known to “wander” in the jungles of South America at night, accounts from males who have been bitten by the spider tell of them experiencing priapism – which is generally described as the condition that points to painful and unrelenting erections.

This “venomous effect” of the Brazilian Wandering Spider’s bite has led to studies devoted to looking into its venom’s utilization as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, sans its dangerous and lethal effects. (FREEMAN)