Nature

The Venom Cure

Poisons, toxins and venoms are the defense and attack mechanisms of the natural world. Gila monsters are armed with toxic saliva, cone shells use poison harpoons, scorpions sting, snakes and spiders inject their victims with venom, blue-ringed octopuses and poison dart frogs kill anything that touches their skin. Almost any of these deadly weapons could kill a human in moments. Yet scientists are finding impressive new possibilities for them - new drugs, new cures, new ways to save lives.