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06 May 2007

From Spanish Fly to Brazilian Spider?

Brazilian and US scientists are looking into using spider venom as a possible treatment for male impotence.

Their investigation follows reports that men bitten by the Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria nigriventer experienced priapism - long and painful erections. A two-year study has found that the venom contains a toxin, called Tx2-6 that causes the erections.

The bite of the Brazilian wandering spider is potent and can be deadly in some cases but researchers found men who claimed their sex lives had improved after a spider attack. So far, scientists believe that combining a version of the spider's venom with an existing drug for erectile dysfunction could produce better results.

I could make a facetious comment about preferring splints to spider venom or swipe at the pharmaceutical industry’s money motive, but this article reminds me that there are still an awful lot of pharmaceuticals out there in nature just waiting to be discovered. Who knows but the plant that just became extinct might just have contained the cure for cancer....

5 comments:

  1. The cure sounds worse than the disease.

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  2. I think I'll stick to splints!

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  3. Getting bit by a spider gives you super powers. Super sexual powers! I bet that's the real reason why Mary Jane puts up with Peter Parker.

    They should make a porn version of Spider Man using the info. in this article.

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  4. I am curious how they discovered that...and whenever I think that in the future I go to a date, and the guy arrives with an ugly tarantula in his pockets or briefs, I shiver...I give up, I'll become a Lesbian, period.

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  5. I am trying to think of the title now ewbl.. the best I can come up with is Spider stud!

    Hmm Is that a spider in your pocket.... I can an increase in Arachnophobia among women, Red!

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