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Spider venom to replace Viagra?
New study conducted at Haifa's Rambam hospital seeks to determine whether toxin found in spiders' venom can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, after researchers found men who had been bit by spiders suffered from unusually prolonged erections
Eitan Glickman
The Rambam Medical Center in Haifa may be able to bring new hope for men suffering from impotence problems. A study being conducted at the hospital's sexual health clinic is aimed at determining whether a toxin secreted by spiders can help improve sexual performance among men.
The study was launched after researchers learned that men who had been bitten by spiders suffered from unusually prolonged erections.
Senior urologist Dr Ilan Gruenwald, of the Rambam neurourology unit and sexual health clinic, has recently approached several pharmaceutical companies and asked them to participate in studies on the subject. A few of the firms have already shown great interest in the new research, which may bring about a revolution in the field of impotence therapy.
"This study is the first of its kind, and may help many men," Dr Gruenwald stated. He explained that in the framework of the research, three types of spiders, which originate in South America and Africa, will be bred in a special habitat. The spiders' venom will be milked with a special sponge.
One type of spiders to be used in the study is the notorious black widow.
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