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Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by SmokeydaBear on April 28, 2010
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Your probably sick of amateurs coming on here and asking "how do I become a snake milker", and I am a complete amateur--however, I am dedicated to the idea and was wondering what sort of education I would need. Specifically, what are the requirements for a license to raise, milk, produce, and sell antivenin? I was considering pursuing chemistry with a minor in biology and was wondering if that would be sufficient. I don't think it will be an easy accomplishment, but it is something I willing to put the effort into. I know the lab equipment is expensive but, as I said before, I'm willing to do it. I also have a friend who is very experienced handling snakes and we were thinking about teaming up.
You can answer on the forum, or you can email me at Henryasims@gmail.com
For anyone who gives me any information, thank you so much.
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by venominme on April 28, 2010
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You seem to have a good grasp of the basic requirements. Good luck. I might want to buy some of your antivenin when you are ready. Hopefully, you get some real good advice from others here.
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by theemojohnm on April 28, 2010
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Henry, please fill in your profile..
You will get many more responses by
doing so.. It helps others to offer
more appropriate suggestions, based on
your area, experience level, etc..
Take Care,
-John Mendrola
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by tj on April 28, 2010
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You have to ask yourself what you plan on doing with the venom. Is it for research? Is it for AV manufacturing? Is it for a college or non FDA analysis?
For research, you're going to want to get a high degree in biochemistry and get yourself a job as a scientist somewhere that specializes or at least works with venoms.
If it's for AV, you'll need a high start up cost for equipment (figure it in the six figures), an ISO specific STERILE lab, FDA and/or other permits, and many, MANY snakes. There is also a number of people that already have a lock in supplying AV, and it's doubtful you can compete with people who have been doing it for many years and have a good reputation.
If it's for a college or some other type of analytical reasons that does not involve production for injection, then anyone can probable do it and find a college to pay them a FEW dollars for the samples.
I know of a few who will provide venom samples, but most are on a pro bono basis.
Also, your insurance will go through the roof if you can get it and if you don't, then don't expect any insurance company to cover a bite. Tough gig to get into. Get a Master's Degree or PHD in biochem, PharmD, toxicology, or something similar, and you'll have a lock at getting a good job where you can work with venoms at a company's or University's expense.
Hope this helps a little.
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by SmokeydaBear on May 2, 2010
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Thanks for the advice you guys. It was all helpful. I know this stuff isn't that hard to figure out but I figured the smartest thing to do was ask people who were actually doing it. I'm not looking to become rich or anything but only want to be able to legally make/supply good antivenin.
Would a bachelor's degree in chemistry be sufficient to work with venom legally? I don't doubt it is a difficult procedure, but right now my concerns are the legal barriers and permits/licenses. Anything anyone can tell me would be much appreciated.
Henry
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by pictigaster1 on May 2, 2010
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What amazes me is that there is not some more manufacturers of antivenom.A mono copperhead antivenom would be great as well as a western diamond back mono.There is plenty of room for the copperhead antivenom as they bite more people than any other us snake and crofab is not very good on there bite.In reality it would be a poly covering all copperheads.These bites cripple people every year.Atrox tends to kill the most people.I think that a poly of another sub set of species than crofab might be nice.The problem lies with all the fda usda hoops that it would take as well as the millions of bucks to do it.Good luck with your adventure in to this.
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by tj on May 2, 2010
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No. Go back and read the response from the last time you told me to. It's in there somewhere. Take time away from making youtube videos for a few minutes....and maybe answer the original poster's question while you're at it, Mr. Mod.
Plenty of people in here with fake profiles and numerous bites. So, how is it that one can judge one's ability to answer a question in here, Al?
Because I took my profile down means I'm not capable of answering a question because YOU need to know my experience and age? Yet, at the same time, fake profiles with people who call themselves doctors, researchers, scientists, etc, or have been bitten numerous times, or import *cough* endangered bitis from Africa under a different name, are more capable of answering a question on the safe and responsible keeping of venomous reptiles more than I? THEY are more legit than me because of their nifty profile?
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by AquaHerp on May 2, 2010
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There is no money in the production of most antivenoms. You are looking at a medical issue that affects less than 8,000 people a year and less than a dozen fatalities. The market simply isn't there. It is not considered an issue of medical importance here in the states.
I spoke with this person the other day on the phone and informed him that a person simply can't "make antivenom" and sell it. It is years in the making with clinical trials and requiring a number of governmental approvals before it can be sold on the market.
To have antivenom production on and appreciable (profitable) scale one would need a serpentarium housing hundreds of snakes, a stable for housing horses, sheep complete with full laboratory equipment and expertise. Expect constant inspection from FDA, USDA/APHIS and a host of others.
Most big pharmaceutical companies that have millions of dollars backing them have stopped production due to the tiny profit margin, or even loss.
CroFab will work for copperhead bites. It is not a great antivenom and has to be used in the right fashion but will neutralize and offer good protection for all the copperheads.
The real future of snake venom is in biomedical applications (drug discovery). Even then, don't count on making a killing just because copperhead venom will be effective in battling some cancers. Once the disintigrins are isolated and proteins identified, it is simply cloned and the snake itself is a moot point.
The money just isn't there for turning a profit by wrangling snakes. This is why those that do this will augment their funds by being open to the public and charging admission or seeking grant money for biomedical research. Even this is becoming tougher as we speak.
DH
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RE: Education to pursue for a snake milker
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by SmokeydaBear on May 2, 2010
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Once again I'd like to thank everyone who has given me any information. I don't doubt that the market is hard (or nearly impossible) to break into, but what I really want to know is any specifics on government regulation/permits/licenses require to do this. Even a link to a website where I can find this information (I've had a lot of trouble navigating those government pages myself) would be much appreciated. Money is not an issue and either are the chemical procedures that go into making the antivenin.
I've been developing a new technique to harvest venom that would increase yield and decrease insurance costs and I'm very excited to put it into action.
Again I want to thank anyone who takes the time/effort to reply to this post. Thanks a bunch,
Henry
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