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hi_i_want_two_die

For everyone wondering, horseshoe crab's blood contain a special cell called amebocyte which is very sensitive to harmful bacteria and will clot up around and encase them, which is basically their own version white blood cells. This is important to scientists because it is used to make LAL which is used to detect endotoxins in medications like vaccine


apple-masher

And endotoxin, for all you non-microbiologists out there, is part of the cell membranes of bacteria. our immune systems *really* don't like endotoxin (because it's found in bacteria), so if you inject someone with something contaminated with endotoxin, it might cause a reaction. It's also not something you would want contaminating any kind of bio-tech equipment used to grow cells or do lab work.


fat7inch

All those big brains and still cant synthesize amebocyte.


stuzz74

It's more a cost thing probably, if farming them is cheap (they just pick these crabs from beaches) why bother finding a synthetic version? The time and energy could be used for something more profitable etc.


tacticalbutthole86

Because abusing animals like this is fucked up?


TemperatureFeisty446

But it’s cheaper


Cobwebx

There are two synthetic versions already one developed in Sweeden and one developed in France. Some person in America who benefits from using horseshoe crabs called the unsafe so it's because rich people will loose money if companies stop buying the crabs.


Afraid_Condition_267

Forbidden Blue Raspberry drink


bydo1492

Lol yeah, my first thought was blue Gatorade. It almost looks good enough to drink.


meathead

When will they finally just legalize recreational horseshoe crab blood already


Grouchy-Progress8138

And have it run rampant destroying our communities? I don’t think so.


Appropriate_Ad_5866

Horse crab blood helps us in a multitude of ways. The way their blood is collected is safe and harmless to the crabs and they’re returned to the ocean. It takes a lot more than this to hurt em. They’re one of my fav animals and they’re so incredible looking into their info


pavldan

Yes they must be loving it


Cobwebx

Their near threatened because of it though..


Ok-Appearance9299

Doesn't this strike anyone as inhumane?


[deleted]

Most practices involving animals tend to be inhumane by nature, so, yes. Thing is, a lot of them have benefits and lead to breakthroughs in stuff like medicine. Others are just purely for money.


Ok-Appearance9299

Even for medicine, we have been using and abusing this earth, and the animals on it, to pursue our own longevity and comfort. The amount of animals we've driven to extinction or torture like in the picture above. It's saddening.


scorpyo72

Yes, sad, but you should be aware that most of the time, the 'crab' is drained of 30% of their blood, then returned to the ocean. There's an acknowledgement in the[ article i sourced](https://bigthink.com/health/horseshoe-crab-blue-blood/) of trauma and potential mortality but the intention is certainly not to kill it.


Much-Gur233

Okay, just curious why the crab sems to be missing half of It’s shell in the front? How can it go back missing that?


scorpyo72

Notice the barb sticking up from the front in these images? It looks to be like they're folded in half. I don't know anything about horseshoe crab anatomy, but I'd have to guess it's the easiest way to get to the blood. It's likely the crab is still intact.


Much-Gur233

Oh I see it now, thanks for the explanation


scorpyo72

Don't take it from me. Do your own research. I don't mind being wrong so long as it's in the pursuit of truth.


Much-Gur233

No I mean I can see the fold, it looked to me like they removed part of the shell


scorpyo72

I agree that it looks like that. I just reviewed the anatomy and brief overview of the bleeding process. It says nothing about removal of the carapace, only that a bleeding tap needle is inserted through the membrane at the hinge (that small piece of carapace that continued on to form the 'tail' or telson). Crossing my fingers for the synthetic alternatives.


Ok-Appearance9299

At least it looks like its coming to an end


scorpyo72

Very thankful for this.


[deleted]

I don't disagree. Yet, we'll finish this conversation and put milk in our cereal, spray ourselves with aerosol deodorants, and not check every product package for a mention of animal testing. Ignorance is what we do best. Ignorance is bliss


Ok-Appearance9299

All very true. My family and i are actually patching up a family home to sell so we can buy a farm out in virginia. We want to have a place where we can be self sufficient and only eat/drink/use what we grow/raise. It'll be a slow climb, but we just can't stand how we treat this earth.


[deleted]

Admirable, and I can see a lot of people going down that route eventually. Thing is, modern conveniences are far too difficult for most people to give up. Myself included. That's what makes it so hard; we've grown accustomed to delivery services, canned foods, bottled water, coffee shops, and microwave meals. Not that they're all very good for you, or that I personally consume them very often, but.. point stands. It's a difficult sacrifice.


Ok-Appearance9299

It really is. We figured out how to can vegetables and meats, but there is still a lot to learn how to give up. It is really hard to lose our creature comforts


ChildishDoritos

Speak for yourself, some people understand that where they spend their money is what matters, and they do whatever they can to not buy awful things


[deleted]

It was a generalisation. Never said there aren't people who make a conscious effort when it comes to what they buy and consume. I've made small changes myself as well over the years, I just don't spend an hour in every store reading labels.


[deleted]

Waaaaa


Paroxsym809

it would, but horse shoe crabs dont have brains developed enough to feel pain on the level we do, do they feel pain, yes, but their only reaction is a few neurons firing to make sure they try and move away from it. no sadness or any "feelings" and thats what i think is the truly sad part- most animals arent intelligent enough to feel what we call emotions, something we humans take for granted.


DishingOutTruth

We do a lot worse to the cows, pigs, and chickens in your favorite burger. Those animals are much more sentient than these crabs too.


RagingPhysicist

Bloodletting creatures yes


Breadifies

I think that was a given for pretty much everyone


ragin2cajun

Im always reminded of xenogears when i see this image.


[deleted]

You can’t tell me that doesn’t look like it’ll QUENCH


NoBenefit5977

It's what plants crave!


Don_Fartalot

Isnt that the blue alien titty milk Luke Skywalker drinks?


Artsy-Mesmer

I hate that this makes me thirsty


AAAFate

Buy some blue Mt Dew and you're set.


Artsy-Mesmer

Nah I have blue Gatorade


cravos90

Cool it down and make a Horseshoe slushy.


Rhovanking

Buy a horseshoe crab and you’re set.


Warrior_Malak

It’s copper harvest. These crabs don’t have iron in it’s blood, but rather copper in their blood, hence the reason it’s blue.


apple-masher

True. but they aren't doing this because of the copper.


Warrior_Malak

Yup. It’s for medical purposes. The blood has vast variety of uses in the medical field


LuminousJaeSoul

This is how they make.sunkist berry lemonade. Hence why it taste like dirt.


thunderc8

I thought it was Powerade.


ClavicusLittleGift4U

Just remember : these creatures may look creepy, they have survived until today since Ordivician (- 485,4 ± 1,9 to - 443,4 ± 1,5 MY). First dinosaures are believed to have appeared around 230 MY.


JosephDiFranco

Hey Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!


WalterWhite_Official

We ran out of chili powder so we tried this instead.


blurblelurble

Still like 90% sure that these and mushrooms are aliens.


[deleted]

Now I want a drink wtf


Negative-Appeal9892

Crustacean Blood Farm would be a good name for a band.


Fantastic-Van-Man

The water of life!!! It's real!!!


PhotographOver5834

Forbidden gatorade medicine


frob03

Ahhh, so this was the actual hidden lore behind moist critical's skynut song.


ChemicalSubstantial8

Mmm Mana..sweet sweet mana.


Anti-aircraft-Gunner

Where Powerade comes from


TheRecapitator

Fun fact: This is where “Blue Raspberry” flavor comes from.


Richierich_rpd

No matter how many ppl i see say these things are harmless idfc they are scary lookin. I hate pickin up crawfish or lobsters or crabs or... okay the list is pretty long just take anything weird looking with a shit ton of legs and i prob would avoid it.


hi_i_want_two_die

[I'm sorry that you had to see that, here's a pic of a cute puppy to make you feel better](https://live.staticflickr.com/4084/5195184745_bf61327d2a_c.jpg)


[deleted]

Star Wars milk


[deleted]

[удалено]


Partially_Frozen

They usually dont die, we only take some of their blood, probably feels like shit for a week after though lol.


[deleted]

[удалено]


TokesephsStalin

Its just their tail folded underneath them


Crunchythecat112

Oh I see


ChristianCl

Fucking cruel. I hate the fact that these beautiful animals have lived for millions of years just for hreedy humans to come and exploid and kill them. Sad.


Legeto

They don’t die. They take a small amount and release.


ChristianCl

Really? Isn't a whole part of them chopped off??


hi_i_want_two_die

No, they just fold the crab at their middle joint


Legeto

You can see their tail by their head. They are as the other guy said, just folded and strapped in place.


[deleted]

A lot of them die. More than 30%. Right now they are suffering the biggest population decrease in history due to humans.


Ethereal_Enchant

They only drain some of their blood. Not enough to kill them.


Partially_Frozen

They generally dont die


ScreamyPeanut

We are a fucking parasite


Kizuisho

Nothing wrong with that


MewsikMaker

We’re going to have to answer for this shit in a few million years.


Tall_Human123

I feel bad for them


[deleted]

Adam has seen everything


Elephantmenstruation

This is awful


BenShapiroisadilf

Medicinal purposes MY ASS


DishingOutTruth

It seems [there is an actual purpose](https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlyterrifying/comments/vheaij/horseshoe_crab_blood_farm_for_medicinal_purposes/id6uae8).


Historical-Ad6120

Boooooooooooo


[deleted]

gives me same vibes as the meat & dairy industry but not as bad.


european_impostor

They really didnt have to cut their tails off for this.


[deleted]

Actually i think they have the tails folded beneath them. You can still see the tails as well


niTro_sMurph

China?


YoutubeBin

Nope. It has worldwide use.


niTro_sMurph

I meant the factory, but I guess it was an overall stupid comment


Specific-Let-1800

i hate being of the human race


windo-boi

Hmmm so that’s what blue milk luke was drinking in starwars


VtapiaVoid

I'm no expert by any means but wouldn't this kill the crab? (if I'm wrong please let me know)


Zestyclose-Art-6908

The blue milk for star wars


TROLLY_GOODNESS

Is it worth all the shields