Tim Friede Bitten by Snakes 200 Times Creates 'Unparalleled' Antivenom
Scientists created a breakthrough antivenom using blood from Tim Friede, a Wisconsin man who deliberately let venomous snakes bite him more than 200 times over nearly 20 years. The new treatment protects against fatal doses from multiple deadly snake species.
Tim Friede spent two decades doing something most people would call crazy - he let hundreds of deadly venomous snakes bite him on purpose. Now scientists say his sacrifice paid off in a big way.
Researchers used Friede's blood to create what they're calling an "unparalleled" antivenom. The Wisconsin man's body built up powerful antibodies after being bitten by more than 200 different snake species over nearly 20 years.
The new treatment is different from existing antivenoms because it works against multiple types of deadly snakes. Current antivenoms usually only work against one specific snake species, which means doctors need to know exactly which snake bit a patient.
Friede, who works as a herpetologist and venom expert, said he "put his ass on the line" to help stop snakebite deaths. The timing matters because climate change is pushing more people into contact with venomous snakes as habitats shift and overlap with human communities.
Snake deaths appear to be rising worldwide as the planet heats up and ecosystems change. The new antivenom could be especially valuable in remote areas where people can't quickly get to hospitals or where doctors don't know which snake caused the bite.
Snake deaths are rising as climate change pushes more people into contact with venomous snakes. This new antivenom could save thousands of lives by working against many different snake species instead of just one type like current treatments.
Scientists will likely conduct more testing before the antivenom becomes widely available to hospitals and clinics.
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