• Wbear@lemmy.zip
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    23 hours ago

    I feel like I’ve heard of this, but it’s bonkers. What is their blood used for again?

    • pemptago@lemmy.ml
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      22 hours ago

      I couldn’t wait for the answer

      In the 1960s, scientists discovered that the sky blue blood inside horseshoe crabs would clot when it detected bacterial toxins. Vaccines, drugs and medical devices have to be sterile before they’re put inside people. A better toxin-detection system meant less contamination risk for patients

      source (Trigger Warning: Begins with a photo of the blood collection many could find disturbing)