SciFi Book Early 80s - Trying to develop an anti-venom for a 100% fatal alien creature

[beichst]

I am seeking a science fiction book I read in the 1980s but it could have been published anywhere from the 1960s on based on the style. I am pretty sure it was at least novella length if not a full novel. In it, an alien planet contains a remnant humanoid colony which has somehow survived despite the presence of an alien creature whose bite appears to be 100% fatal. The animals are named after the first off-world victim, but I cannot remember the name. I am thinking something along the lines of a Frederick Pohl type story, but nothing I have researched seems to ring a bell.

The planet apart from the venomous alien animals is otherwise a paradise. Hence, the basis for the story. The government and industry wants to colonize the planet, but cannot because of the venomous annimals. They are desperately working to synthesize an anti-venom to counteract the bite. A young researcher who comes to the planet as a researcher is helping to capture some of the animal to extract venom. He becomes bitten. The head researcher has no choice but to try the most recent untested serum on the young man. To everyone's amazement it works!

The story then goes on as the planet is continued to be developed. However, an interesting plot twist comes out towards the end which I have always remembered. It was a good story.


(view spoiler)[ we find out that instead of being 100% fatal, there is actually a very tiny percentage of men that can survive the bite. those that do, live incredibly long, healthy lives even outliving their own children and grandchildren. They obviously reproduce more often than those that die, thus passing on their genes and immunity to the bite. This is discovered after finding that the natives have a special secrete "coming of age ritual" for their young males. They are sent to an island in which they live with the animal and it bites them. Most survive (the gene is present enough to prevent most from dying). But, only a few live such long lives to pass on their genes. That is why the remnant colony is starting to grow.

The original young research who was bitten was not saved by the serum. instead, he is saved because of his genetic resistance. During the course of the story he turns from a stereotypical nerdy weakly to a strong, healthy young man who eventually realizes what a gift he has been given.

(hide spoiler)]

Note, this is not Le Guin's The Island of the Immortals (1998), where the bite of a small fly is considered extremely dangerous but could also confer immortality.

Thanks.

[Genesistrine]

It sounds a lot like F Paul Wilson's Healer, but that doesn't have the researcher/serum thing - the alarets are named after the first human killed by one and victims have the 1/1000 chance of surviving and becoming near-immortal, but the protagonist survives by himself when one drops on his head while he's hiding in a cave.

The synopsis at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... isn't very helpful; there's a better one at https://rjdent.wordpress.com/2009/02/... with plot details - look familiar?

[beichst]

Thank you for the suggestion Genesistrine. You are correct. Healer is very similar. I have read Healer as well. Highly recommend it. Unfortunately it is not the story/book I am seeking. :-(

But again thanks for the suggestion.

[beichst]

Bump.

[beichst]

Bump.