Ilha de Queimada Grande, also known as “Snake Island,” is a small but notorious piece of land located off the coast of Brazil. It is home to the Golden Lancehead Viper, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, and has been called the most dangerous acreage on Earth.
Humans are forbidden from visiting without special permission due to the high risk of snake bites, but recently, a team of researchers, including Australian molecular biologist Bryan Fry, ventured to the island to study the potential medical benefits of the venom.
Fry, who is known for his fascination with venomous creatures, joined a crew from 60 Minutes to investigate the possibility of using the venom of the Golden Lancehead Viper to develop new medications.
Despite the danger posed by the snakes, Fry and his team were determined to learn more about the venom’s properties and how they might be utilized to treat various ailments.
The Golden Lancehead Viper is unique in that it only exists on Snake Island, making it a rare and valuable specimen for scientific study.
The snake’s venom contains a protein that can potentially be used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and blood clots. Fry and his team hoped to extract the venom and use it to create new drugs that could save lives.
However, the journey to Snake Island was not without risks. The island is so dangerous that even local fishermen refuse to venture too close, knowing the risks of encountering a Golden Lancehead Viper.
The snakes, which can grow up to 2 feet in length, are highly venomous and have been known to kill humans with a single bite. Even a small nick from a snake tooth can be deadly due to the potency of the venom.
Despite the dangers, Fry and his team were able to successfully collect venom samples from several snakes on the island. They also conducted tests on the venom to determine its properties and potential medical uses.
The research could pave the way for new treatments that could save countless lives around the world.
While Snake Island remains off-limits to most humans, the work being done by Fry and his team offers hope for the future. By studying the venom of these deadly snakes, researchers are uncovering new ways to fight diseases and improve human health. It is a testament to the power of science and the determination of those willing to take risks in pursuit of new knowledge.
In conclusion, Snake Island, also known as Ilha de Queimada Grande, is a small but dangerous piece of land off the coast of Brazil. Home to the deadly Golden Lancehead Viper, it is considered the most dangerous acreage on Earth.
Despite the risks, a team of researchers, including Australian molecular biologist Bryan Fry, ventured to the island to study the venom of the snakes and its potential medical uses. The research being done on Snake Island offers hope for new treatments that could improve human health and save lives.