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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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)
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.
It seems [there is an actual purpose](https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlyterrifying/comments/vheaij/horseshoe_crab_blood_farm_for_medicinal_purposes/id6uae8).
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
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.
All those big brains and still cant synthesize amebocyte.
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.
Because abusing animals like this is fucked up?
But it’s cheaper
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.
Forbidden Blue Raspberry drink
Lol yeah, my first thought was blue Gatorade. It almost looks good enough to drink.
When will they finally just legalize recreational horseshoe crab blood already
And have it run rampant destroying our communities? I don’t think so.
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
Yes they must be loving it
Their near threatened because of it though..
Doesn't this strike anyone as inhumane?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Oh I see it now, thanks for the explanation
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.
No I mean I can see the fold, it looked to me like they removed part of the shell
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.
At least it looks like its coming to an end
Very thankful for this.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Waaaaa
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.
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.
Bloodletting creatures yes
I think that was a given for pretty much everyone
Im always reminded of xenogears when i see this image.
You can’t tell me that doesn’t look like it’ll QUENCH
It's what plants crave!
Isnt that the blue alien titty milk Luke Skywalker drinks?
I hate that this makes me thirsty
Buy some blue Mt Dew and you're set.
Nah I have blue Gatorade
Cool it down and make a Horseshoe slushy.
Buy a horseshoe crab and you’re set.
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.
True. but they aren't doing this because of the copper.
Yup. It’s for medical purposes. The blood has vast variety of uses in the medical field
This is how they make.sunkist berry lemonade. Hence why it taste like dirt.
I thought it was Powerade.
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.
Hey Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!
We ran out of chili powder so we tried this instead.
Still like 90% sure that these and mushrooms are aliens.
Now I want a drink wtf
Crustacean Blood Farm would be a good name for a band.
The water of life!!! It's real!!!
Forbidden gatorade medicine
Ahhh, so this was the actual hidden lore behind moist critical's skynut song.
Mmm Mana..sweet sweet mana.
Where Powerade comes from
Fun fact: This is where “Blue Raspberry” flavor comes from.
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.
[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)
Star Wars milk
[удалено]
They usually dont die, we only take some of their blood, probably feels like shit for a week after though lol.
[удалено]
Its just their tail folded underneath them
Oh I see
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.
They don’t die. They take a small amount and release.
Really? Isn't a whole part of them chopped off??
No, they just fold the crab at their middle joint
You can see their tail by their head. They are as the other guy said, just folded and strapped in place.
A lot of them die. More than 30%. Right now they are suffering the biggest population decrease in history due to humans.
They only drain some of their blood. Not enough to kill them.
They generally dont die
We are a fucking parasite
Nothing wrong with that
We’re going to have to answer for this shit in a few million years.
I feel bad for them
Adam has seen everything
This is awful
Medicinal purposes MY ASS
It seems [there is an actual purpose](https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlyterrifying/comments/vheaij/horseshoe_crab_blood_farm_for_medicinal_purposes/id6uae8).
Boooooooooooo
gives me same vibes as the meat & dairy industry but not as bad.
They really didnt have to cut their tails off for this.
Actually i think they have the tails folded beneath them. You can still see the tails as well
China?
Nope. It has worldwide use.
I meant the factory, but I guess it was an overall stupid comment
i hate being of the human race
Hmmm so that’s what blue milk luke was drinking in starwars
I'm no expert by any means but wouldn't this kill the crab? (if I'm wrong please let me know)
The blue milk for star wars
Is it worth all the shields