How nature's deadliest venoms are saving lives

Meera Senthilingam, for CNN

Updated 0922 GMT (1722 HKT) September 15, 2015

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Animal venoms have evolved to immobilize and kill prey in seconds. Venomous toxins target vital body parts with extreme precision and potency, making them valuable templates to craft new drugs. Pictured, a desert viper preys on a gecko.
Photos:
Animal venoms have evolved to immobilize and kill prey in seconds. Venomous toxins target vital body parts with extreme precision and potency, making them valuable templates to craft new drugs. Pictured, a desert viper preys on a gecko.
Hide Caption
1 of 15
The venom of the Brazilian lancehead viper was once used on arrowheads. It was later identified as a potent drug to treat high blood pressure and was the first venom-based drug approved by the FDA, in 1981.
Photos:
The venom of the Brazilian lancehead viper was once used on arrowheads. It was later identified as a potent drug to treat high blood pressure and was the first venom-based drug approved by the FDA, in 1981.
Hide Caption
2 of 15
Snake venom is captured through a process known as "milking" -- luring snakes to bite onto a material laid over the opening of a jar.