Horseshoe crab blood contains a uniquely valuable clotting agent used to test medical equipment for bacterial contamination. The harvesting process raises both conservation and welfare concerns.
Horseshoe crab harvesting sits at the intersection of conservation, welfare, and medical necessity. The animals experience physiological stress during bleeding and significant mortality. Their population decline cascades through ecosystems dependent on their eggs. A validated synthetic alternative exists but regulatory acceptance has lagged behind the science. Welfare-centered advocacy should push for faster adoption of rFC while supporting sustainable harvest limits where traditional LAL use continues.