In the latest Spider-Man movie, a doctor turns into a lizard to recover his amputated hand. This ability refers to the lizard that can grow its broken tail. Greater efficacy is believed to exist in fellow reptiles, gecko, which can cure AIDS.
Disease that became the scourge of many people until now still not found antidote, although there are 3 people who recover with certain medications. The widely circulated even the efficacy of gecko as an antidote to HIV / AIDS, thus making these reptiles much hunted.
Even at the end of 2011, TRAFFIC South Asia, an institution that monitors wildlife and wildlife sanctuaries, published a report stating that gecko demand has skyrocketed over the past few years. The reason is because various blogs, newspaper articles and internet, and wildlife traders praise the efficacy of this animal as a miracle cure.
TRAFFIC is worried about the huge increase in this gecko trade. If trade continues to mushroom, it could take years to fix the damage inflicted on the gecko population, "said Chris R. Shephe deputy director of the traffic region.
Since 1998 to 2002, TRAFFIC records that there are more than 8.5 tons of dried geckos imported illegally to the United States for use as traditional medicine. A large number of such requests are met from Asia, especially China. Even customs officers in Indonesia have also foiled attempts to smuggle dried geckos into Hong Kong and China.
In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) then confirmed that the report that states the benefits of gecko to cure AIDS is just a figment. As quoted from The Star, the WHO statement is published in the page of his Facebook account.
"We want to remind you that gecko is not a cure for HIV / AIDS, or cancer.Results that say otherwise are lies.There is no scientific evidence that geckos can cure HIV / AIDS or cancer.Also there is no information about the safety and health consequences of consumption of geckos, "the statement said.
Since many years ago, gecko is believed to be efficacious as a traditional medicine to overcome diseases such as diabetes, asthma, skin diseases and cancer. The dried grass is ground into powder for consumption. In some Asian countries, geckos are even mixed with grapes or whiskey and are consumed as a stamina enhancer.
Gray-gray leather gecko with orange leopard can grow up to 40 cm long. These reptiles feed on insects and worms, and help regulate pest populations and maintain ecosystems.
Images screenshoot by web flora fauna
