Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tim Friede, a Wisconsin man with an unusual passion for venomous creatures, has voluntarily been bitten by snakes hundreds of times over the past two decades all in the name of science. His extreme efforts to build immunity to snake venom have now caught the attention of researchers, who are using his blood to develop a more effective and potentially universal antivenom.
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Building Tolerance the Hard Way
Friede’s fascination with reptiles led him to keep dozens of snakes and even experiment with venom extraction from scorpions and spiders. Driven by curiosity and self-protection, he began injecting himself with small doses of snake venom, gradually increasing the quantity to train his immune system to resist its effects. Over time, he let deadly snakes like the black mamba and taipan bite him directly. “Initially, it was terrifying,” Friede admitted, “but with time, you learn to manage the fear and stay calm.”
A New Hope in Snakebite Treatment
Globally, snakebites kill around 110,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization. Researchers at Columbia University and Centivax, a biotech company, saw an opportunity in Friede’s unique blood.
As reported by Associated Press, in a recent study published in Cell, scientists identified two powerful antibodies in Friede’s blood that neutralize venom from various snakes, particularly elapids like cobras and mambas. While early results in mice are promising, the treatment is still years away from human trials and is not yet effective against vipers such as rattlesnakes.
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From Self-Experimentation to Scientific Recognition
Though Friede suffered severe injuries including a partially amputated finger he persisted in contacting scientists for years, urging them to explore his immunity. His perseverance paid off. He now works with Centivax and hopes his unusual journey contributes in saving lives.
Despite his enthusiasm, Friede has a strong warning: “Don’t do what I did. Let the science take it from here.”
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
