When Bad Poisons Can Do Good Things

When Adam sinned, death entered the world, creation was cursed, and things went downhill. For a few days before that, everything was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). Animals didn't eat each other, we didn't eat them, no lethal poisons — now we have plenty of killing, eating, poisons, and so on.

Highly venomous Bonaire box jellyfish
Image credit: Marijke Wilhelmus / NOAA (usage does not imply endorsement of site contents)

Now we have various plants and critters with lethal poisons. Creationists speculate that these are part of the DNA programming that was put in place by our Creator's design for use after the Fall, possibly based on modifications of existing benign features. Anyway, the point I'm bringing to your attention is that some things are being studied by scientists for medical use, including the draculin enzyme of vampire bats, and poisons for use in non-addictive pain killers. God gave us intelligence, and expects us to use it.

The most common medications prescribed today for chronic pain have a dangerous side effect. They are highly addictive.

Nearly two million people are now addicted to hydrocodone, oxycodone, and similar medications, all derived from opium. So scientists are looking for an alternative in a surprising place—biochemical weapons employed by toxic plants and animals! Pain and poison were not part of God’s original very good creation before Adam sinned. But it’s astonishing to discover that even within the poisons that arose as a result of the Curse, the Creator put unique tools we can use to relieve some consequences of that Curse. Research suggests that many natural venoms and poisons contain specialized chemicals that can block pain without the adverse effects posed by opioid-based drugs.

To read the rest of this painless but informative article or download the audio, click on "Painkillers from Poisons". It has some good illustrations, too.