There have been several studies with self injection published. Some I was ask to peer review. One of the the easys to find is the work on the Habu done by the Japan Snake Park. Even when toxiods were used a large number of people had severe side effects. Also this study was done to find protection from bites to farmers. Effects on death rates was small and lose of limb still occurred so the study was stopped. Dr. Minton also published a paper on exposure to venom that shows that most people have problems with the proteins. These were all done under the supervise of real doctors and not someone injecting in their basement. If self injection was worth the risk of organ damage and hormone imbalance. (I handle and extract from over 1000 snakes a week) I would be injecting. The risks out weigh the benefits.
As far as venom for medical usage . Whole venoms are not what is used in making anticancer and antiblood clotting drugs. In fact the whole venom is often not very clean. We are working on getting standardize rules for production of venom for human use.
FDA has many rules that we follow already. But there has been several cases of people self injecting and getting infections.
Being immune to venom doesn't effect tissue damage and snakes are immune to their own venom but still develop cancer.
If you would like more info contact us at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. I have a large collection of books and peer reviewed papers that you can come read to back up my statements. You can call 606-663-9160 between 10:00am and 8m daily.

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