By Justine B. Blue Ocean Society Intern
Horseshoe crabs are playing an important role in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Atlantic horseshoe crab’s blood contains a clotting agent, Limulus amebocyte lysate, that causes the immune system cells to clot when exposed to bacteria that is possibly lethal to humans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must test all certified drugs using this clotting agent in order to test the drug’s safety and effectiveness, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no exception. The process of obtaining the crab’s blood, however, can drain up to 30% of the individual’s total blood. Because of this, up to 40% of the crabs end up dying, and others suffer other side effects from the blood loss. Due to the high need for the horseshoe crabs during this pandemic, as well as the unfortunate consequences they have to face, experts agree that now is a good time to put better regulations in place in order to protect the species.
