TIMES RECORD • October 21, 2025
I am fascinated by the science behind vaccines. Horseshoe crabs are essentially prehistoric creatures that are somehow still surviving in today’s marine environment. Perhaps their survival is part of why they are helpful in getting us through the oncoming winter. One of the components of their blood is used in vaccines we rely upon to keep us healthy. Horseshoe crab blood has a unique ability to form a clot around harmful bacteria and isolate it so that it doesn’t cause an infection. The process of harvesting the blood of horseshoe crabs is not simple. The industry is regulated so as not to overfish the resource. In spring, horseshoe crabs come up onto beaches to mate and lay their eggs. If you see this, you’ll have a new appreciation for how special these creatures are and how they may help make you a little healthier. ~ Susan Olcott