Source: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...-warn-12083167
Coronavirus: Half a million sharks 'could be killed for vaccine', experts warn
Sharks produce squalene, a natural oil made in their livers, which is an ingredient in several COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
By Aisha Zahid, news reporter
Sunday 27 September 2020 13:54, UK
Half a million sharks could be killed for their natural oil to produce coronavirus vaccines, according to conservationists.
One ingredient used in some COVID-19 vaccine candidates is squalene, a natural oil made in the liver of sharks.
Squalene is currently used as an adjuvant in medicine - an ingredient that increases the effectiveness of a vaccine by creating a stronger immune response.
British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline currently uses shark squalene in flu vaccines.
The company said it would manufacture a billion doses of this adjuvant for potential use in coronavirus vaccines in May.
Around 3,000 sharks are needed to extract one tonne of squalene...
Coronavirus: Half a million sharks 'could be killed for vaccine', experts warn
Sharks produce squalene, a natural oil made in their livers, which is an ingredient in several COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
By Aisha Zahid, news reporter
Sunday 27 September 2020 13:54, UK
Half a million sharks could be killed for their natural oil to produce coronavirus vaccines, according to conservationists.
One ingredient used in some COVID-19 vaccine candidates is squalene, a natural oil made in the liver of sharks.
Squalene is currently used as an adjuvant in medicine - an ingredient that increases the effectiveness of a vaccine by creating a stronger immune response.
British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline currently uses shark squalene in flu vaccines.
The company said it would manufacture a billion doses of this adjuvant for potential use in coronavirus vaccines in May.
Around 3,000 sharks are needed to extract one tonne of squalene...
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