Health

Half A Million Sharks Might Be Killed In Search For COVID-19 Vaccine

Wildlife experts claim that in order to find a COVID-19 vaccine, half a million sharks could be killed for the much-anticipated jab.

This is because a natural oil made in the liver of sharks called squalene is used medicine and is also used as an adjuvant to increase the effectiveness of a vaccine. Also, it is now being used in trial vaccines for the COVID-19.

Picture: Google

 

As said by conservationist group Shark Allies, it is believed that around 250,000 sharks will need to be slaughtered if a drug that contains squalene passes and goes into production across the world  in order to provide one dose for each person.

That figure will be doubled and became dire if people need two shots instead of one to fully vaccinate against COVID-19.

 

Founder and executive director of Shark Allies, Stefanie Brendl said, “Harvesting something from a wild animal is never going to be sustainable, especially if it’s a top predator that doesn’t reproduce in huge numbers,”.

In a Facebook post, she added, “We are not trying to slow down or hinder the production of a vaccine.

Picture: Google

“We simply ask that testing of non-animal derived squalene is conducted alongside shark squalene so it can be replaced as soon as possible.

“At billions of doses needed per year, for decades to come, it is critical that we don’t rely on a wild animal resource. It can be detrimental to shark species that are hunted for their oil, and it is not a reliable supply chain,”.

An online petition had been set up by the group named ‘Stop Using Sharks in COVID-19 Vaccine – use EXISTING Sustainable Options’. The target for signature was 10,000 and now have reached 9,500.

Source: Mirror

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

30 Years, One Icon: Three Decades of Magic with Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live in Concert This July!

Fans of Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza are in for an extraordinary treat as Malaysia’s most… Read More

14 hours ago

AEON Launches Reforestation Project In Segamat To Continue Legacy Of Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest

Building on the success of the Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest Programme in Bidor, Perak, AEON is… Read More

14 hours ago

A Milestone Celebration: 20 Years of the World’s Biggest Duathlon

The highly anticipated POWERMAN Malaysia celebrated its 20th anniversary milestone this year, with OMODA |… Read More

14 hours ago

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Final Chapter of Squid Game and YOU Can Be A Part of History

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Final Chapter of Squid Game and YOU Can Be… Read More

15 hours ago

Students Donate 5,000 Clothes with UNIQLO to Help Refugee Youth

What happens when a global fashion brand teams up with a school full of big-hearted… Read More

16 hours ago

Shopee’s 7.7 Squad Pulls Up: 2,000 Affiliates, 80 Brands & One Big Mission “Shop Lagi Murah, Lagi Cepat”

Picture this: 2,000 creators. 80+ brands. One giant house party for all things content, community,… Read More

16 hours ago

This website uses cookies.