This document proposes a study to test the effects of snake venom on the immune system. The study will inject three groups of 50 test subjects with either no supplements, over-the-counter immune boosters, or diluted snake venom twice a week for 18 months. The study expects that the venom-injected group will develop a stronger immune system with more antibodies, providing greater protection against diseases and cancer. Injecting venom may also help create immunity to snake venoms to reduce snake bite fatalities.

1. Ivan J. GarciaJuly 26, 2010<br />804-10-2844Dra. Belinda Roman<br />Biol 3009-LaboratoryUPR-Cayey<br />Snake Venom Immunology<br />Since ancient times snake venom has been a theme of recurring controversies. A lot of people and cultures believe in its curative powers and for that reason the snake was adopted to the symbol of medicine. This proposal will test the benefits of snake venom in the immune system. There has only been one clear way of testing this and it is the direct injection of diluted venom straight into the organism’s body. The venom used in this proposal is hemotoxic.<br />There is a recurring problem in the world, and it is that diseases are growing stronger and more aggressive, while most immune systems are declining. Yet another problem occurs all around the world is the chances of getting bitten by a poisonous snake are increasing. By injecting snake venom into an organism’s body, it will create a stronger and more aggressive immune system with a greater number of anti-bodies. The organism will be hyper-immunized. This will help an organism fight off diseases, prevent cancerous tumors, and live a healthier life. Injecting snake venom also promotes an immunization to other snake venoms, preventing a lot of snake bite fatalities. <br />Previous research on snake venom has been conducted with neurotoxins which are now helpful for arthritis and Alzheimer treatments. While the only previous research on hemotoxins done found that the proteins help fight off invasive diseases and viruses, it showed an increase in one person’s immunity and longevity. This research will focus on hemotoxins and their effects on the body and immune system. Testing will begin with animals and prior to injection the venom will have had been induced with formaldehyde to neutralize some of its effects (this will be done only in the first two months of testing), then with distilled water on a basis of 15:1 ratio of water to venom.<br />There will be three test groups, each consisting of 50 individuals: the first group will take no supplements nor be injected, they will have a natural occurring immune system. The second group will be given over-the-counter immune system boosters. The third group will be the group injected with the diluted snake venom. Testing will last about a year and a half (18 months). Injections will be performed twice a week, starting with a 15:1 dilution of distilled water to venom. Gradually the ratio will fall and finish in a 5:1 ratio of distilled water to venom.<br />Expected results should prove that after 18 months the test subjects injected with the venom solution will show a much more aggressive and stronger immune system than the other two groups. They will have a greater number of antibodies and be able to fight off and prevent diseases and cancerous cells. Although the group with immune boosters will increase their immunity, it won’t be to the extent of the group with venom. Another benefit of this group with venom is that they will have had created an immunity to most hemotoxins of most snakes. Meaning snake bite fatalities can decrease. <br />Snake venom will prove to be a great asset to medicine and to preventing and curing diseases. It is already used in the form of neurotoxins to treat certain diseases, meaning that hemotoxins should be next on the list of possible cures. Although it seems dangerous it has great potential and there is evidence to back it up. This is due to the fact that anti-venom used today is derived from a hyper-immunized animal that had been injected with pure snake venom. Snake venom immunology can prove to have many advantages and breakthroughs in science and medicine.<br />References:<br />What is snake venom?, ThinkQuest, 2010, Oracle ThinkQuest, July 18,2010, http://library.thinkquest.org/C007974/2_6sve.htm<br />Viegas, J., (2010), Cobra Venom Erases Arthritis Symptoms, 1(1),Discovery Channel, July 24,2010, http://news.discovery.com/animals/cobra-venom-arthritis-pain-relief.html<br />R.D.G. Theakston, (1989), Applied immunology in snake venom research, 83(6), Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, July 24, 2010, http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/trstmh/article/0035-9203(89)90312-X/abstract<br />Unknown author, 2010, Snake Venom 2, 1(1) 2010, Immune Clinic Research, July 20, 2010, http://www.immuneclinicresearch.com/4/SNAKE-VENOM-2.html <br />P. Gopalakrishnakone,1994, Sea Snake Toxinology,1(1), Page 128, Venom and Toxin Research Group, July 18, 2010, http://books.google.com.pr/books?id=i2yTrfdnnq8C&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=Snake+poison+immunology&source=bl&ots=mX-aV2mM_p&sig=OuCizaYJfZ6hzxNoYLmSXK7pheA&hl=es&ei=Dbw4TPXuOISdlgfr7IHWBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFsQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q&f=false<br />