Frog Pharmacists

Matthew 13:22
“‘Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.'”

Some frogs are regular little drug factories. Their skins produce a wide range of powerful alkaloids, which are a large family of chemicals usually produced by plants. Familiar alkaloids include quinine, caffeine and morphine. Different alkaloids have different effects, usually on the nervous system.

The poison-arrow frog may be the most famous alkaloid-producing frog. South American natives simply rub their arrows or darts on the frog’s back. One species of this frog contains enough poison to kill 100 people! Another frog, native to Ecuador, produces an anesthetic more powerful than morphine. South American natives rub another frog on their wounds. Researchers discovered that the frog’s skin makes a powerful antiseptic. Yet another frog alkaloid will change the colors on parrot feathers. Some of the alkaloids produced by frogs are so complex that it takes years of study, using modern science’s most sophisticated equipment, to discover the active chemical.

Researchers in this field are only beginning to learn about the alkaloids produced by frogs. They have yet to research a frog that natives claim to use to heighten their senses for the hunt. What puzzles scientists who believe in evolution is that the frogs’ exotic skin chemistries don’t follow the patterns they anticipated based upon expected evolutionary relationships.
    
This means that these frogs have one more exciting purpose. They provide evidence against evolution and for the Creator.

Prayer:
I thank You, Lord, that You have included chemicals in the creation that can help us treat our medical problems. I ask that I would not become so concerned with earthly cares and worries that I forget about my spiritual needs – which are fully supplied by You. Amen.

Notes:
Pennisi, Elizabeth. 1992. “Pharming frogs.” Science News, v. 142, July 18. p. 40.