About this episode
How does the blood of a 450-million-year-old arthropod help prevent lethal infections in humans? And could we exhaust the supply? Zachary Crockett wades in. SOURCE: Dina Fine Maron , senior wildlife crime investigative reporter at National Geographic. RESOURCES: " When the Horseshoe Crabs Are Gone, We’ll Be in Trouble ," by Deborah Cramer ( The New York Times, 2023). " Horseshoe Crab Blood Is Vital to Modern Medicine. A New Lab-Made Alternative Could Save the Species ," by Kristoffer Whitney, Jolie Crunelle, and The Conversation ( Fortune, 2023). " Horseshoe Crab Blood Saves Lives. Can We Protect These Animals From Ourselves? " by Dina Fine Maron ( National Geographic, 2022). " For Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs, Love Is a Battlefield ," by Dina Fine Maron ( National Geographic, 2022). " Horseshoe Crab Blood: The Miracle Vaccine Ingredient That's Saved Millions of Lives ," by Katie Pavid ( Natural History Museum, 2020). " The Role of Horseshoe Crabs in the Biomedical Industry and Recent Trends Impacting Species Sustainability ," by Jordan Krisfalusi-Gannon, Anthony L. Dellinger, et al. ( Frontiers in Marine Science, 2018). " Video: Horseshoe Crabs Mate in Annual Beach 'Orgy ,'" by Heather Duner MacAdam ( National Geographic, 2014). " Crash: A Tale of Two Species ," S26.E7 of Nature (2011). EXTRAS: " Baby Blue Blood Drive ," by Radiolab (2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.