Pallone Applauds Proposed Standards for Drug & Medical Device Safety Testing that Will Protect Horseshoe Crabs
Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued the following statement on new proposed standards for drug and medical device safety testing:
“I applaud US Pharmacopeia’s proposed new standards for drug and medical device safety testing that, if adopted, will provide a viable alternative to the use of horseshoe crab blood in this process.
“While most Americans may not know it, we all rely on a key ingredient found in the blood of horseshoe crabs to detect dangerous contaminants known as endotoxins in everything from routine vaccines to medical devices like heart stents.
“Unfortunately, this global reliance on horseshoe crabs has placed an enormous strain on the population of these unique creatures. The horseshoe crab is a prized part of New Jersey’s ecosystem, and I’m hopeful this proposal will ensure they continue to thrive in our waters and on our shores for years to come.
“I’m grateful to USP for working with my office as they moved through the process to establish a safe and viable alternative to assess the safety of injectable medicines and medical devices. I look forward to this new standard being finalized soon so that we can pave the way for more responsible medical options that do not rely on the vulnerable horseshoe crab population.”
Pallone was joined in welcoming USP’s proposal by other key advocates, including:
“We commend Congressman Pallone for his leadership to protect horseshoe crabs -- an ancient, unique, and critically important to the entire coastal ecosystem,” said Marcus Sibley, Northeast Director of Conservation Partnerships at the National Wildlife Federation. “Almost everyone who grew up or visited the Northeast coastline has experienced these magnificent creatures, but most aren’t aware of how critical they are for a range of other species, such as birds, like the threatened Red Knot, Striped Bass, and so many more who feast on the crabs’ eggs. After surviving literally hundreds of millions of years, horseshoe crabs need stronger protection. As a member of the Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition, we are working to stop the killing of horseshoe crabs for their unique blood when there is a synthetic alternative that is scientifically and commercially viable.”
“This is a welcome and significant gain for horseshoe crab conservation. The endorsement will aid in the shift to the use of synthetic products and provide relief from some of the biomedical harvest pressure. The conservation of these ancient mariners for their ecological values needs to be prioritized, and this will help. We thank Congressman Pallone for his unflagging leadership in protecting our environment, and for his work to advance horseshoe crab conservation,” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.
“New Jersey Audubon believes the US Pharmacopeia’s proposal to make non-animal, bacterial endotoxin testing reagents compendial is an important first step to conserve vulnerable horseshoe crab and shorebird populations, like the federally threatened Red Knot, that depend on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel their intercontinental migration,” said Dr. David Mizrahi, Vice President for Research and Monitoring at New Jersey Audubon.