
How horseshoe crabs save lives
Special | 4m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Every time you get a flu shot, you should thank a horseshoe crab.
Most medical interventions—vaccines, drugs, devices—have been tested on horseshoe crabs. Their blood clots immediately when it's exposed to dangerous bacteria. The biomedical industry bleeds horseshoe crabs routinely in order to make sure their products won't poison patients. But the horseshoe crabs are in decline, and an NC company is trying to figure out how to raise them sustainably.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
SCI NC is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Sci NC is supported by a generous bequest gift from Dan Carrigan and the Gaia Earth-Balance Endowment through the Gaston Community Foundation.

How horseshoe crabs save lives
Special | 4m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Most medical interventions—vaccines, drugs, devices—have been tested on horseshoe crabs. Their blood clots immediately when it's exposed to dangerous bacteria. The biomedical industry bleeds horseshoe crabs routinely in order to make sure their products won't poison patients. But the horseshoe crabs are in decline, and an NC company is trying to figure out how to raise them sustainably.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch SCI NC
SCI NC is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Science and Nature
Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series.
- Science and Nature
Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice.
Support for PBS provided by:
SCI NC is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Sci NC is supported by a generous bequest gift from Dan Carrigan and the Gaia Earth-Balance Endowment through the Gaston Community Foundation.