« If Kids Fail The Test, Make The Test Easier | Main | "You Bourgeois Bloodsucker,... »

August 16, 2005

Oh Yeah, I BET They Do It Carefully...

To paraphrase that idiot Crodile Hunter 'Danger, Danger, Danger!'

Crocodile blood may yield powerful new drugs
Tests show reptile's immune system prevents life-threatening infections

SYDNEY - Scientists in Australia’s tropical north are collecting blood from crocodiles in the hope of developing a powerful antibiotic for humans, after tests showed that the reptile’s immune system kills the HIV virus.

The crocodile’s immune system is much more powerful than that of humans, preventing life-threatening infections after savage territorial fights which often leave the animals with gaping wounds and missing limbs.

“They tear limbs off each other and despite the fact that they live in this environment with all these microbes, they heal up very rapidly and normally almost always without infection,”...


Ah, reminds me of my younger days in the $500 pair o'jeans eco-system. I could wrangle for a free brewski with the best of them. A strong immune system is vital in the ongoing battle for dive domination.

...For the past 10 days Britton and Merchant have been carefully collecting blood from wild and captive crocodiles, both saltwater and freshwater species. After capturing a crocodile and strapping its powerful jaws closed the scientists extract blood from a large vein behind the head.
For reptiles here in Pensacola, we leave that to the nurse at the Escambia County Sheriff's department.

Posted by tree hugging sister at August 16, 2005 02:01 PM

Comments

Posted by: Ken Summers at August 16, 2005 06:01 PM

But that's preceded by a 'Warning, Will Robinson!'

Posted by: tree hugging sister at August 16, 2005 10:38 PM

Geesh, welcome to the party CNN. Better late than never, i guess.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at August 17, 2005 11:55 AM

We're the cutting edge of everything, my brother. Only anonymously.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at August 17, 2005 02:08 PM