Snake venom can be extremely useful in medicine, and that's why people have to collect it somehow - and it's not an easy thing.
Therefore, it can be extremely expensive - but is it the only reason for it to be so pricey?
Let's find out more about how the cost of snake poison is created.
Milking Snakes
To get venom, experts have to carefully collect it from live venomous snakes.
This process requires a lot of skill and safety measures, making it time-consuming and costly.
Specialized Equipment
Collecting and storing venom safely requires specialized equipment and facilities. These need to be maintained and can be expensive to set up.
Research and Development
Creating antivenom involves a lot of research to make it safe and effective. Scientists need funding for their studies, which can add to the cost.
Testing and Safety
Antivenom must be thoroughly tested to make sure it's safe for people. These tests can be costly and time-intensive.
Limited Demand
Snakebites are not very common in many parts of the world, so there's not a huge demand for antivenom.
This can drive up the cost because manufacturers don't make as much of it.
Regulations
There are strict regulations and quality control measures in place to ensure the safety and effectiveness of antivenom, which can increase the cost.
Conclusion
Milking snakes and researching it is a pretty hard job - so it's no surprise that the final product costs so much.
Also, it shows us that even potentially dangerous things can be extremely beneficial when used correctly.
