The need of synthetic horns
We are aware about the incessant poaching of all five species of wild rhinos, which is contributing to their declining numbers in Africa and Asia. Other than hunting for sport, rhino horns have been an ancient attraction in many cultures for a myriad of reasons. The horns’ luster increases with age and has been used as handles for curved dagger, vessels, paperweights and even buttons.
But mostly, there are sought after for their medical properties. There might be some truth behind their ability in detection of poisons, as most poisons are highly alkaline and rhino horns are composed of protein keratin, also the main constituent of hair, nails and animal hooves. The poisons may have reacted chemically with keratin and could have caused bubbles to form in the presence of poisoned liquids, when stored in vessels carved from rhino horns.
In 1990, some Chinese researchers in China found that very high doses of rhino horn extract could slightly lower the fever in rats, water buffalo horns and Saiga antelope could also work in this regard. But keep in mind that the concentration of horns prescribed by traditional Chinese medicine used doses much too lower to bring about these effects in human or rats.
Shunning these speculations, San Francisco-based biotech startup Pembient has come up with a possible substitute to stop the accelerated rate of poaching of rhinos for their horns. This cost effective synthetic horn is made by blending 3D printing technology and bioengineering, could be accepted by a wide range of customers who instead currently settle for water buffalo horn.
“We create synthetic rhino horn by taking advantage of advances in synthetic biology and 3D printing,” explains Pembient president Matthew Markus. “First, we engineer yeast cells to produce the same keratins found in rhino horn. These keratins are then amalgamated with the other natural components of rhino horn, such as trace elements and rhino DNA. The end result is a powder. This powder may be used as an ‘ink’ in a 3D printing process to make solid objects, including horns.”
In a survey conducted among rhino horn users by Pembient, 15% preferred to use water buffalo horn, while 45% testified they would be open to buying the synthetic product.
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