> A synthetic alternative was later invented and has since been approved in Europe as an equivalent to the ingredient that requires horseshoe crabs. But in the U.S., the blood harvest isn't shrinking. It's growing.<p>Years ago I saw a poster at work about LAL harvesting that said the horseshoe crabs "could" be returned to live out their lives after the harvesting. I thought it was weasel wording then and hoped for a substitute. I'm glad someone finally made the substitute and it should replace all LAL use.