New Delhi: California-based advocacy group, Shark Allies has claimed that nearly 5 lakh sharks are likely to be slaughtered for preparing COVID-19 vaccine.
According to a report in euronews, shark squalene is being considered for preparation of COVID-19 vaccine.
Squalene is a natural organic compound that is found in shark liver oil and most of the commercial vaccines use it to enhance the immune response. Experts suggested that nearly 3,000 sharks are required to extract one tonne of squalene.
If one dose of vaccine is required for each person, then around 2,50,000 sharks need to be slaughtered, and if two doses of vaccine are needed per person, then 5,00,000 sharks will have to be slaughtered, according to Shark Allies.
Expressing their concern over the killing of lakhs of sharks, conservationists have claimed that this action will do irreversible damage to the oceanic ecosystem.
The advocacy group has suggested the use of plant-based alternatives for squalene in preparation of vaccines.
“We are in no way trying to hinder or slow down the development of a COVID-19 vaccine or any other critical treatment that is needed to protect humanity from illness,” founder of Shark Allies, Stefanie Brendl was quoted as saying by euronews.
“We are asking that sustainably sourced squalene is used in all non-critical applications and where the alternative is just as effective as shark squalene, and that all future testing of adjuvanted vaccines is giving plant-derived sources equal consideration,” she added.
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