A petition has been filed against slaughter of 5 lakh sharks for the COVID-19 vaccine. The world is going through a real rough phase and everyday something happens that leaves behind everyone in surprise as anything. And, now the cruelty is increasing day-by-day. We are losing our humanitarian nature and being so selfish that for our safety we are ready to kill almost 5 lakh sharks and in result disturbing the whole ecosystem.
The thing is that this is not something new, numerous animals and innocent creatures are killed every day on a massive scale. But, the sad thing about this is that the world is suffering really badly now, and amidst all these taking such a dangerous step is a big risk. Because we don’t know what we will end up with; if this happens then we may end up creating a big mess.
Amid a global race to develop a corona virus vaccine, conservationists have warned that at least 5 lakh sharks are likely to be slaughtered in order to develop enough doses of an effective vaccine. Yes, the global vaccination program is supposed to come at a very heavy price and netizens are horrified at the proposed mass-murder.
A California-based conservative group, Shark Allies, suggest that squalene, a natural compound originally obtained from shark liver oil is used in some adjuvant that enhances the body’s immune response to an antigen.
According to Euro News, about 2,500-3,000 sharks would be required to extract one tonne of squalene. For the entire global population to be vaccinated; around 5 lakhs would be slaughtered. Outraged at the amount of animal cruelty; a petition with the title “Stop Using Sharks in COVID-19 Vaccine use EXISTING sustainable options” has been filed on Change.org against using sharks for the vaccine. Over 44,000 people have filed the petition so far.
The petition reads:
“This could spell potential disaster for sharks; and humans since this resource is neither sustainable nor reliable for the mass production of a COVID-19 vaccine. Shark squalene production requires relying on a finite; wild animal population. Most shark species are already at critical levels and will not withstand; an increase in demand for a global vaccine.”
Many questions have been raised regarding this decision and everyone is asking for an alternative; urging authorities to switch to non-animal squlaene; and focus on creating long-term and sustainable solutions.
It is also true that 30 lakh sharks are killed every year for their use in cosmetics; machine oil, and other products. Animal conservationists have expressed concern that how this mass-murder; would further threaten the shark population, and lead to their endangerment; creating an ecological disaster.
