How Horses Save Humans From Snakebites
Veritasium・14 minutes read
Venomous snakes in Australia are milked for antivenom production, with the federally funded program providing freely available and high-quality products. The traditional method of using horse antibodies for antivenom production is still predominant, despite ongoing research on genetically modified bacteria as an alternative approach.
Insights
- The Australian Reptile Park extracts venom from snakes to produce antivenom, which is crucial in saving lives from snake bites, with a federally funded program ensuring free availability of high-quality antivenom in Australia.
- The process of producing antivenom involves milking venom from snakes, particularly the large coastal taipan, with the venom targeting various molecular pathways in the body, requiring careful extraction methods due to the potent and diverse effects of snake venom. Despite ongoing research into alternative production methods using genetically modified bacteria, the traditional method involving horses remains predominant, despite associated risks and challenges.
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Recent questions
How is snake venom extracted for antivenom?
By milking snakes at the Reptile Park.
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Summary
00:00
Australian Reptile Park: Venom Extraction for Antivenom
- In Australia, snakes and spiders are known for their venomous nature, prompting the Australian Reptile Park to extract venom for antivenom production.
- The Reptile Park houses venomous snakes, with safety ensured by locks and thin glass barriers.
- Snake bites in Australia can be fatal, with one to three deaths annually, contrasting with the global estimate of 120,000 deaths per year.
- Antivenom in Australia is freely available due to a federally funded program, offering some of the best products globally.
- To extract venom, a large coastal taipan is milked, with approximately 15 snakes needed for one vial of antivenom.
- Snake venom varies by species, tailored for specific prey, with rear-fanged snakes evolving to inject venom efficiently.
- The evolution of snake fangs led to the development of hollow fangs in some species, enhancing venom delivery.
- Selective breeding at the Reptile Park results in super snakes producing excessive venom for antivenom production.
- The most venomous snake, the inland taipan, can deliver a lethal dose with one drop of venom, necessitating careful milking procedures.
- Snake venom targets various molecular pathways, causing neurotoxic, hemotoxic, cytotoxic, and myotoxic effects, complicating treatment due to multiple toxins working together.
12:39
Antivenom Production: From Horses to Bacteria
- The first antivenom was developed by drawing blood from a venom-resistant rabbit to isolate antibodies, which were then injected into another rabbit to confer immunity against Cobra venom. This method is still used today, with venom collected and sent off to be diluted and injected into donor animals like horses, whose antibodies are used as antivenom.
- Antivenom is effective due to shared evolutionary history, as horse antibodies bind to toxic compounds and neutralize them in humans. However, the current method of antivenom production has drawbacks, including danger in collecting venom, involvement of many donor animals, and potential allergic reactions in some individuals.
- Scientists are exploring genetically modified bacteria as a potential method for producing antivenom, which would create specific antibodies to neutralize each toxin in venom. Despite this research, the traditional method involving horses remains the primary way antivenom is made.
