Jeff Rotman/Alamy Stock Photo

Horseshoe crabs belong in oceans, not labs!

For almost 450 million years, horseshoe crabs have played a vital role in maintaining the Earth’s coastal ecosystems. These ancient arthropods predate dinosaurs and are amongst the world’s oldest species, having survived five mass extinctions. Today, they face a grave threat.

Nearly one million horseshoe crabs are taken from the wild every year, exploited for their blue blood, which contains a protein used to test medical products for potential contamination. These helpless creatures are transported to laboratories and placed into restraints, where up to a third of their blood is drained before they are returned to the ocean. Many horseshoe crabs die or are injured during this horrific process even though sustainable replacements are readily available.

Humane World for Animals is urging pharmaceutical companies and government officials in Brazil, India, Indonesia, China, South Korea, the U.S. and other key markets to switch to alternative testing methods and end the cruel and unnecessary practice of capturing horseshoe crabs and draining their blood.

Together, we can create a future that is safer for humans and let horseshoe crabs thrive in their natural habitat.

Your message

Subject*

Decision Maker

Dummy

Target

None

Dear Decision Maker, 
 
For almost 450 million years, horseshoe crabs have played a vital role in sustaining coastal ecosystems. Yet today, their existence is threatened due to commercial demand for their blood in the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test to detect potential endotoxic contaminants in medical products. However, continued reliance on crab blood is no longer necessary thanks to recombinant technology that replicates a key component of the horseshoe crab’s immune response which reacts to bacterial endotoxins.   

These modern technologies offer several advantages over the LAL, including comparable or superior sensitivity and specificity in detecting endotoxins. They are already used and accepted by industry and regulatory authorities in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other major economies and are commercially available worldwide.  These methods offer a sustainable choice that protects wild horseshoe crab populations and the ecosystems that depend on them. 

I urge you to support this same transition in your jurisdiction by:

Adopting sustainable replacements like the recombinant Factor C method as the official requirement for endotoxin testing; and  

Removing or waiving reference to the LAL in information requirements, pharmacopeial monographs and related regulatory guidance, and proactively communicating this change to the regulated community.  

Modern recombinant technologies are leading examples of validated, high-performing and sustainable alternatives to animal testing. It’s time to embrace innovative, sustainable methods and for horseshoe crabs to thrive in their natural habitat.

{user_data~First name} {user_data~Last name}
{user_data~Street address}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Zip code}

Your information

Country

First name

Last name

Street address

Apartment, suite or other

City

State/region

State

Postal code

Email address

Mobile phone number (optional)

(Optional) By providing your U.S. mobile number, you agree to receive periodic text messages from Humane World for Animals with updates and ways you can help animals. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 77879 to opt out, HELP for info. Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions.

Send me email updates and quick actions I can take to help protect all animals.

[Consent Modal]