Snake venom used as medicine

Updated 23.02 Fri Sep 26 2008
Keywords: viper, rattlesnake, amazon, santa cruz, potrereillo de guinda, bonaso, snake, venom, homeopathic, medicine, farm, bolivia

A South American snake farm is harvesting venom to make homeopathic medicine for AIDS victims.

Italian Antonio Bonaso founded the 300-hectare farm near Santa Cruz, Bolivia 20 years ago and it is home to 100 poisonous snakes.

"My friends ask me how I feel surrounded by the snakes. They are scared, horrified - but I feel good. I have the trust of the snakes" - Victor Romero

The venom of the pit viper, known as Lachesis, is extracted and sold to an Argentinian company as an immune system stimulant given to AIDS and cancer victims.

The keepers rarely handle the reptiles as studies show snakes that are handled produce less toxic venom.

Farm worker Victor Romero said: "My friends ask me how I feel surrounded by the snakes. They are scared, horrified - but I feel good. I have the trust of the snakes."

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