Developing Cheaper and Safer Antivenoms for Deadly Snakes

The video discusses the dangers of some of the world's deadliest snakes and the challenges in developing effective antivenoms. Scientists at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, are working on creating safer and more affordable antivenoms. The process is complex and costly, with significant risks involved. New approaches focus on isolating the most toxic components of snake venom to produce targeted treatments with fewer side effects. While promising, these innovations will take years to be widely available.

What is the main reason why some of the deadliest snakes are hard to spot in rural areas?

• Their camouflage makes them hard to see.

• They are very small.

• They are mostly active at night.

• They move very quickly.

What is the primary challenge in the current process of making antivenoms?

• It is an expensive and complex process.

• It requires a lot of manpower.

• It can be done without any special equipment.

• It is a simple and inexpensive process.

Who is Paul Raleigh, as mentioned in the video?

• The only person in the UK licensed to extract snake venom for research.

• A scientist developing new antivenoms.

• A victim of a snake bite.

• A Nigerian health official.

What is the Liverpool School's new approach to developing antivenoms?

• Focusing on non-toxic proteins in venom.

• Increasing the amount of venom used in antivenoms.

• Separating only the most toxic parts of snake venom.

• Using traditional methods to extract venom.

What is the ultimate goal of the new synthetic antivenom development?

• To make antivenoms more expensive.

• To create antivenoms for all types of animal bites.

• To eliminate the need for antivenoms altogether.

• To develop a universal antivenom for deadly snakes in specific regions.