[RWebb]

Mike - there are many odd looking, even repulsive species that contain critically important disease fighting drugs. Unfortunately, they are going extinct at a rapid rate. There is a book touching on this by E O WIlson (contact me if you want the title, isbn etc.)

The 'pond scum' (blue-green algae) in one of the hot springs in Yellowstone Nat'l Park was used to create the PCR reaction that is used in all modern genetic engineering. That single hot springs was "worth" many trillions of dollars. Imagine if that bacterium had gone extinct before we found it.

Now - for you in particular - there are many many different lubricants used by different organisms. Synovial fluid in our joints is just one. Interested in better lubricants?
....

- Randy