This podcast episode starts with an introduction to Senator William Proxmire and his creation of the Golden Fleece Awards to expose wasteful government spending. The Golden Goose Award, created in response to the Golden Fleece Awards, celebrates the significance of basic scientific research. The episode then delves into the fascinating world of cone snails, their unique hunting behavior, and the groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. Baldomero "Toto" Olivera on snail venom. Olivera's research led to the discovery of a non-opioid pain reliever called Ziconotide, providing hope for patients suffering from severe pain.
