Why is horseshoe crab blood used for drug testing?

Horseshoe crab blood contains a protein called Factor C, which detects bacterial endotoxins in biomedical products to ensure their safety.

What is the current conservation status of American horseshoe crabs?

The American horseshoe crab population has declined over 70 percent since 2000, and a lawsuit seeks to list it as threatened or endangered.

Are there alternatives to using horseshoe crab blood for testing?

Yes, synthetic alternatives for detecting endotoxins are approved and widely used in Europe and Asia, though demand for horseshoe crab blood persists.

Home / Environment / Ancient Crabs Face Extinction Over Biomedical Blood Harvest

Ancient Crabs Face Extinction Over Biomedical Blood Harvest

6 Jan

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Summary

Horseshoe crab populations have declined over 70 percent since 2000.
Their blue blood is essential for testing drug safety, despite synthetic alternatives.
A lawsuit was filed against the US government for failing to protect the species.

Ancient Crabs Face Extinction Over Biomedical Blood Harvest

A conservation group has initiated legal action against the US government, citing its failure to protect the American horseshoe crab. These marine invertebrates, often termed 'living fossils,' have roamed the oceans for over 450 million years, predating dinosaurs.

However, their numbers have drastically fallen by more than 70 percent since the year 2000. This decline is primarily attributed to excessive harvesting and diminishing habitats. The critical factor driving this crisis is the demand for their unique blue blood, which contains a protein essential for biomedical testing.

Despite the existence of approved synthetic alternatives, particularly in Europe and Asia, horseshoe crabs are still harvested, bled alive, and returned to the sea. This practice, coupled with habitat loss, has pushed three of the four horseshoe crab species to endangered status, intensifying pressure on the American species.