#Sharks and Humans# ^w^ The fear of being eaten alive is a primal fear in humans, and sharks embody that fear. ^w^ When Peter Benchley wrote his famous novel, `Jaws`, he unleashed a worldwide confrontation with that fear. ^w^ Much of what we think we know about sharks is untrue and based on fear, rather than fact. ^w^ Sharks are an important part of the ecology of the oceans. They are a valuable economic resource and may offer valuable information about some of the human diseases that plague mankind.