Snails offer hope for pain sufferers
`The humble but lethal sea snail may hold the key to a better life for thousands of chronic pain sufferers.
Researchers from the University of Queensland believe conotoxins contained in potentially deadly sea snail venom could be used to create a treatment to replace conventional pain relief drugs such as morphine.
Dr Jenny Ekberg said her research had shown the conotoxin could produce pain relief without side effects in animals. [..]
“Unlike other anaesthetics, it’s very specific against the pain and doesn’t cause any side effects – it’s the first time anyone has discovered anything like this,” she said.’
