TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Veterinary Research Institute has developed a new testing reagent that can replace horseshoe crab blood for detecting bacteria in veterinary drugs. The new testing method is more costly than using horseshoe crab blood, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, but should improve the survivability of the species, per CNA. Horseshoe crabs have blue blood that holds high medical value. It is commonly used to produce reagents for vaccine and drug development. These reagents are extremely sensitive and respond quickly. When mixed with an injectable solution, they clot or change color if harmful bacteria are present. However, the harvesting of horseshoe crab blood has put the species at risk. They take 10 to 15 years to reach maturity, and studies show that about 30% die after being bled by humans. The blood extraction can also hinder the reproduction of female crabs. These factors have raised concerns about the species' survival and have led to it being ...