This Living Fossil May Have Saved Your Life

The video discusses the horseshoe crab, a species that has survived for millions of years but now faces threats from human activities. It highlights the ecological importance of horseshoe crabs, particularly in Delaware Bay, and their role in medical testing due to their unique blood properties. The development of a synthetic alternative, recombinant factor C, offers a more sustainable solution, but adoption has been slow. The video emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to protect this keystone species.

What is one of the main threats currently facing horseshoe crabs?

• Predation by larger marine animals

• Rising sea levels and habitat loss

• Competition with other crab species

• Increased salinity in oceans

How do horseshoe crabs contribute to the ecosystem in the Delaware Bay?

• By cleaning the ocean floor

• By pollinating underwater plants

• By controlling the population of smaller fish

• By providing a food source for various species

What unique property of horseshoe crab blood is utilized in medical testing?

• Its sensitivity to bacterial endotoxins

• Its high oxygen-carrying capacity

• Its ability to regenerate quickly

• Its resistance to viral infections

What is recombinant factor C?

• A new method of harvesting crabs

• A new species of horseshoe crab

• A synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood

• A type of medical implant

Why was there resistance to adopting recombinant factor C in the pharmaceutical industry?

• It was more expensive than traditional methods

• It was less effective than horseshoe crab blood

• The industry is highly regulated and cautious about new methods

• It required more resources to produce

Which company successfully transitioned to using recombinant factor C for testing?

• Merck

• Eli Lilly

• Johnson & Johnson

• Pfizer

What additional measures are suggested to aid horseshoe crab conservation?

• Developing new habitats in urban areas

• Continuing with harvest limits and beach restoration

• Introducing new predators to control crab population

• Increasing the number of crabs harvested