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.

4 Responses to “Oh Yeah, I BET They Do It Carefully…”

1. Ken Summers says:

   August 16, 2005 at 6:01 pm

   “Danger, Danger!”

2. tree hugging sister says:

   August 16, 2005 at 10:38 pm

   But that’s preceded by a ‘Warning, Will Robinson!’

3. Mr. Bingley says:

   August 17, 2005 at 11:55 am

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

4. tree hugging sister says:

   August 17, 2005 at 2:08 pm

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