A PBS "Nature" program, "The Venom Cure," describes how scientists are collecting venom from a variety of toxic creatures: cone shells, spiders, snakes, amphibians, insects, ticks, toxic fish, and others. The toxins are separated into their component parts, each of which is analyzed and tested for possible therapeutic properties.

Of interest to us is the venom of the cone shells and puffer fish, components of which turns off nerve pain. According to the Nature show, components of the venom of cone shells and puffer fish appear to be effective for even the worst nerve pain and have none of the side effects of current medication. An Aussie article on the drugs from cone shell venom is at http://uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_139.html . An article on pain relieving drugs from the puffer fish is at http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/s...03/1000732.htm.

The web site at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/venomcure/ has links to more information, and streaming video of some of the program.

A copy of the show can be purchased for $20 from http://shopthirteen.org/product/show/23437 or call 1-800-336-1917 .