Two attributes--silk and venom--have contributed to the spider’s key position in the food chain (not counting their prodigious appetites). Scientists are working to put all to use.
The ancient Greeks used spider silk very effectively to staunch bleeding wounds, as have soldiers in the Vietnam War and other modern conflicts. (The silk is so fine that it actually traps the blood platelets.)
Spider venom can be used to treat certain neurological and mental disorders. A research group in Utah has isolated components from the venom of many species of North American spiders, which may help reduce brain damage following strokes.
Research is also being done into putting spiders to work in on the farm, to control insect pests. One problem is that while agriculturists generally want a very specific pest eliminated, spiders will eat just about anything, including other spiders on the job.
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