Apart this Horseshoe crabs are not crabs it’s a own species, nearest related to spiders and scorpions. They are raised since 1970 on sea farms as blood donors, which are taken a little out before freeing the animal again. Their blood (blue) is unique, because it contains a compound that detects the slightest bacterial contamination in objects, medical utilities and medications.
It¡s important in medicine and Pharma industry, which also collateral effect had avoided the extiction of this animal, which before was a real risk.
The content of a bottle is from a lot of animals. There is not much blood from each animal, 20% blood is extracted and then the animal marked and released again until they recover. They are too valuable to kill them in this process. There are videos about this.
Zerush@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
Apart this Horseshoe crabs are not crabs it’s a own species, nearest related to spiders and scorpions. They are raised since 1970 on sea farms as blood donors, which are taken a little out before freeing the animal again. Their blood (blue) is unique, because it contains a compound that detects the slightest bacterial contamination in objects, medical utilities and medications.
It¡s important in medicine and Pharma industry, which also collateral effect had avoided the extiction of this animal, which before was a real risk.
Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 3 months ago
That’s a lot of blood
Zerush@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
The content of a bottle is from a lot of animals. There is not much blood from each animal, 20% blood is extracted and then the animal marked and released again until they recover. They are too valuable to kill them in this process. There are videos about this.
www.youtube.com/shorts/igg_WkIoLqQ
Alaik@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
Sadly the survival rate post bleeding is… not great.