Could This Dragon Save Your Life?

    Komodo dragons are tough creatures. They often eat dead animals that have been rotting away for a while. These dead animals are filled with tiny germs called bacteria. Eating these bacteria would make most animals sick. But Komodo dragons don’t get sick from the bacteria. 

    Why don’t they get sick? Scientists just discovered why. Komodo dragon blood contains special chemicals. These chemicals protect it from bacteria. That might be great news for humans.

    Komodo dragons are incredibly tough creatures. They often eat the rotting bodies of dead animals, which are filled with tiny germs called bacteria. Most other animals would catch deadly diseases from eating these bacteria, but Komodo dragons don’t get sick. 

    How do these giant lizards fend off germs? Scientists recently found out: Komodo dragon blood contains special chemicals that protect it from bacteria. And that might be life-changing news for humans.

    Certain bacteria can be deadly. The tiny germs can cause diseases, like pneumonia and cholera. For most of human history, these diseases had no cure. Also, if a wound became infected, doctors had no medicine for it. Even a small cut could kill a person.

    In 1928, scientists discovered antibiotics. These are medicines that kill germs. The first antibiotic was called penicillin. It saved millions of lives.

    Over time, some germs became resistant to antibiotics. That means antibiotics no longer work on the germs. 

    Every year, these resistant germs kill people. Right now, they kill about 700,000 people around the world each year. In 30 years, they might be killing 10 million people a year!

    Remember the Komodo dragon’s special blood? It might stop these tough germs. That’s what scientists hope. They want to use it to make new medicines.

    For most of human history, certain bacteria could be deadly. The tiny germs caused diseases like pneumonia and cholera, and there were no cures. Doctors also had no way to treat infected wounds. Even a small cut could kill a person.

    However, in 1928, scientists made a major breakthrough in treating disease and infection. They discovered antibiotics—medicines that kill germs. The first antibiotic was called penicillin, and it saved millions of lives.

    But over time, some germs changed to become resistant to antibiotics. These germs can’t be destroyed by antibiotics.

    Every year, nearly 700,000 people around the world die because of antibiotic-resistant germs. Thirty years from now, that number could be as high as 10 million.

    Could the Komodo dragon’s special blood prevent that from happening? Scientists are optimistic. They want to use the dragon’s blood to create new medicines that, they hope, will stop even the toughest infections.

    The Komodo dragon isn’t the only fierce creature that may help save lives. The taipan is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Scientists think its poison might help stop wounds from bleeding. In Mexico, experts have been studying deadly scorpions. Poison from their stingers may help fight cancer. 

    One scary snake is already saving people with heart problems. The Brazilian pit viper has a poison that makes its victims pass out. That way the viper can eat them—head first. But that same poison can keep people alive. A medicine made with it helps treat a disease called high blood pressure. The medicine is used by 40 million people a year.

    Chances are the pit viper medicine is only the beginning. Bryan Fry is a scientist who studies Komodo dragons. He thinks strange creatures like the dragon have a lot more to offer. That’s where the “wonder drugs of tomorrow will be found,” he told the Washington Post newspaper. 

    So if you see a Komodo dragon or a pit viper, maybe you should say thank you—from a safe distance.

    Other fierce creatures may also help save lives. The taipan is a dangerous snake. Its poison might stop wounds from bleeding. Experts are also studying deadly scorpions. Their stingers have poison. It may help fight cancer. 

    One snake is already saving people. It helps people with heart problems. This snake is called the Brazilian pit viper. It has a poison that makes its victims pass out. Then the viper eats them—head first. But that poison can also keep people alive. It’s already used in one medicine. The medicine is for high blood pressure. The medicine is used by 40 million people a year.

    Bryan Fry studies Komodo dragons. He says the “wonder drugs of tomorrow” will be found in strange creatures. 

    So if you see a Komodo dragon or a pit viper, say “Thank you!” But say it from a safe distance.

    The Komodo dragon isn’t the only fierce creature that may have life-saving properties. The taipan is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, but scientists think its poison might help stop wounds from bleeding. In Mexico, experts have been studying deadly scorpions to determine whether poison from their stingers can fight cancer. 

    One terrifying snake is already saving people with heart problems. The Brazilian pit viper has a poison that lowers its victims’ blood pressure, so they pass out. Then the viper eats them—head first. A medicine made with that poison helps treat a deadly disease called high blood pressure. The medicine is used by 40 million people a year.

    The pit viper medicine might be only the beginning. Bryan Fry, a scientist who studies Komodo dragons, believes that strange creatures like the dragon have a great deal more to offer. That’s where the “wonder drugs of tomorrow will be found,” he told the Washington Post newspaper. 

    So if you encounter a Komodo dragon or a pit viper, maybe you should say thank you—from a safe distance, of course.