Horseshoe crabs' blue blood saves lives—now the species needs saving
The lifesaving secret hidden inside a horseshoe crab's blue blood
Horseshoe crabs, whose blue blood is used to test medicines for contamination, are in decline along the East Coast. Massachusetts has implemented protections, including a ban on harvesting during spawning season, and Eli Lilly has developed a lab-made alternative that performs as well as crab blood. The company plans to eliminate its use of crab blood entirely, offering hope for the species' recovery.
When there is a suitable alternative that has been proven, that is scientifically valid, there really is no excuse to use a wild animal to do this test.