COVID-19 Vaccine to be Made From 5 Lakh Sharks! Decision to Kill Endangered Species Causes Social Media Outrage, Petition Filed on Change.org

As many as five lakh sharks are likely to be slaughtered to create a vaccine for COVID-19. Sharks are often harvested for natural oil called squalene, which is currently used as an adjuvant in medicine. It is an ingredient that increases the effectiveness of a vaccine by creating a stronger immune response. Around 3,000 sharks are required to extract one tonne of squalene. However, the decision to kill so many large fish has given rise to many questions on the welfare of marine life. It has garnered strong criticisms from animal lovers and environmentalists alike. People have taken to Twitter expressing their dissent in the killing of the fish of which many species are endangered. Some are also inquiring if there isn't any alternative option available for it. COVID-19 Vaccine Development May Kill Over 5 Lakh Sharks! Know Why Squalene Found in The Fish is So Important in Medicines.

A California-based group Shark Allies has said that immunising everyone in the world a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine containing squalene would require around 250,000 sharks. It will depend on the quantity required which will double to half a million if two doses are required, which researchers say is likely. Meanwhile, a petition with the title 'Stop Using Sharks in COVID-19 Vaccine - Use EXISTING Sustainable Options' has been filed on Change.org against using sharks for the vaccine.

Twitterati Are Unhappy:

Do We Have an Alternative?

People Are Seeking For an Alternative:

Is There a Way We Can Manage?

Do We Have An Option?

Do We Have a Way Out?

How Do We Act Now?

According to the Shark Allies, species targeted for being rich in squalene are the gulper shark and the basking shark. They are classed as vulnerable which means their population is decreasing and they could become endangered if the circumstances continue to threaten them.

The advocacy group said that harvesting an endangered specie for a component in the medicine is not sustainable. Meanwhile, to avoid the threat to the shark population, scientists are testing an alternative to squalene - a synthetic version made from fermented sugar cane. According to rough estimates made by conservationists, around three million sharks are killed every year for squalene, mostly used for cosmetics and machine oil. It is also feared that a sudden rise in demand for liver oil could threaten shark populations and make the species endangered.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2020 01:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).