in the news
http://www.wgem.com/global/story.asp?s=11632978

(NBC NEWS) -- Carl Barden takes on a dangerous job: He is collecting snake venom that is being used for life-saving research and pharmaceuticals.

"We really feel that venoms, in fact, hold a host of scientific avenues into disease," he said.

Medtoxin Venom Laboratories was started in 1994 and today houses about 800 snakes. Barden said only about a half-dozen of these labs exist in the United States, and there are only about 30 in the world.

After he collects the liquid venom, it is freeze-dried. In powder form, the venom has a long shelf life and remains as potent as when it comes out of the snake.

At the University of Southern California, Dr. Frank Markland has been conducting venom research and said it might hold the key to unlock a cure for breast cancer, which claims the lives of more than 40,000 women each year.

"In the southern copperhead venom, there's a protein that has very interesting properties concerning anti-tumor activity," he said.
Markland's tests show that snake venom protein successfully stopped transplanted human breast cancer tumors from growing in mice.

But will it work on people?

Markland said he could start getting those answers in about 18 months, if he can get the funding he needs.

Barden continues to harvest venom at his DeLand lab and wants people to learn about the benefits of all reptiles, especially snakes.

"They've got a real niche in the world around us for a host of reasons," he said.

And Barden hopes his work will be a part of future medical breakthroughs.
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I love my country but I'm scared to death of its government
Ya believe what you read cause it's all that we give ya
Cause all of history is written by winners
I'm engaged in a frenzy of mass self-destruction
I feed upon your famine to fuel my corruption
I'm wholeselling hatred and international incest
To carnivorous hyenas in a global theft fest
I've mastered the arts of death and foreign nations genocide
And those who turn on me commit national suicide

I'm the queen of the global dream
And I rule a declining nation
I sit and watch all the violent screams
From the throne of your desperation
W.A.S.P.

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