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I’m thankful @pfizer & @moderna_tx have developed effective #COVID19 vaccines, but let’s not forget to also acknowledge the humble hero horseshoe crabs that both pharmaceutical companies depend upon.
The blue blood of horseshoe crabs has been vital in vaccine production.
The blue blood of horseshoe crabs has been vital in vaccine production.
Having received several follow up questions to this tweet, a bit more info on my favorite arachnids (yes, they’re more spider than crab).
First, horseshoe crabs have been around 450M years, meaning they’re older than the dinosaurs. 2/
First, horseshoe crabs have been around 450M years, meaning they’re older than the dinosaurs. 2/
Today’s horseshoe crabs are nearly identical to their relatives that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.
Those pointy tails aren’t stingers - they’re used to flip back over when the animals get overturned. *Never* pick up a horseshoe crab by its tail. 3/
Those pointy tails aren’t stingers - they’re used to flip back over when the animals get overturned. *Never* pick up a horseshoe crab by its tail. 3/
If you’re still not impressed yet, there’s more...
Horseshoe crabs have 10 eyes distributed around the body from the top of its shell to its tail to help orient them when swimming. 4/
Horseshoe crabs have 10 eyes distributed around the body from the top of its shell to its tail to help orient them when swimming. 4/
Why do horseshoe crabs matter in #COVID #vaccine development?
Their copper-based blue blood contains "Limulus Amebocyte Lysate" or "LAL.”
LAL clumps up in the presence of bacterial toxins, so it’s used to test the sterility of medical equipment & injectable drugs. 5/
Their copper-based blue blood contains "Limulus Amebocyte Lysate" or "LAL.”
LAL clumps up in the presence of bacterial toxins, so it’s used to test the sterility of medical equipment & injectable drugs. 5/
That means if you have ever had an injection, vaccination, or surgery, that you - yes, *YOU* - are indebted to the wondrous, ancient, 10-eyed horseshoe crab!
That’s all for tonight, but I may revisit this thread if I get more questions. 6/
That’s all for tonight, but I may revisit this thread if I get more questions. 6/
To folks asking if I work on horseshoe crabs:
20yrs ago, the 1st management plan I wrote was for horseshoe crabs w @nature_org & @MassAudubon. I wanted to save them.
Since their blood is now vital for developing #COVID19 vaccines, it turns out they're the ones saving us. 7/
20yrs ago, the 1st management plan I wrote was for horseshoe crabs w @nature_org & @MassAudubon. I wanted to save them.
Since their blood is now vital for developing #COVID19 vaccines, it turns out they're the ones saving us. 7/
To those asking: Yes, the bleeding of live horseshoe crabs is ecologically unsustainable for them as well as the shorebirds that rely on their eggs for food. Populations of both are in decline. 8/
But there’s good news: An effective synthetic substitute, recombinant Factor C (rFC), eliminates the need for horseshoe crab blood.
And get this: It has been available for nearly 2 decades.
Let’s encourage pharmaceutical companies to commit to switching. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2018/inside-biomedical-revolution-save-horseshoe-crabs
And get this: It has been available for nearly 2 decades.
Let’s encourage pharmaceutical companies to commit to switching. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2018/inside-biomedical-revolution-save-horseshoe-crabs
“What happens to horseshoe crabs after they’re bled?”
Biomedical companies return them to the water. Up to 30% may not survive, but scientists don’t know the figure.
The loss of blood may also have long-term health consequences like higher risk of infection. /10
Biomedical companies return them to the water. Up to 30% may not survive, but scientists don’t know the figure.
The loss of blood may also have long-term health consequences like higher risk of infection. /10
Seeing a few ppl reply: “I’m not getting the #COVID19 vaccine now.”
Vaccines are *not* made from horseshoe crabs. Their blood is special bc it’s sensitive to toxins from bacteria & used to test the safety of injections & medical devices.
Get the vaccine. It will save lives. /11
Vaccines are *not* made from horseshoe crabs. Their blood is special bc it’s sensitive to toxins from bacteria & used to test the safety of injections & medical devices.
Get the vaccine. It will save lives. /11
"How do you know if horseshoe crab blood is being used for the #COVID19 vaccine?"
All pharmaceutical companies rely on horseshoe crab blood.
4yrs ago, rFC was approved as a synthetic substitute in Europe, but @USPharmacopeia ditched a plan to give it equal status in 2020. /12
All pharmaceutical companies rely on horseshoe crab blood.
4yrs ago, rFC was approved as a synthetic substitute in Europe, but @USPharmacopeia ditched a plan to give it equal status in 2020. /12
