Lab-grown donkey collagen could save species from China's demand for 'endless youth' tonic

Scientists in Brazil are pioneering a novel approach to combat the dwindling global donkey population. Their research focuses on creating lab-grown donkey collagen, a potential solution to meet the surging demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine prized for its purported anti-aging properties.

Ejiao, derived from donkey skins, has seen its demand skyrocket among China's growing middle class. This insatiable appetite has led to the rapid decline of donkey populations worldwide. The project, led by Professor Carla Molento at the Federal University of Parana, aims to produce donkey hide gelatin in a controlled laboratory environment.

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We are hoping to offer a donkey collagen product which retains all the qualities of the conventional one, as it will be encoded by the same DNA.

"We are hoping to offer a donkey collagen product which retains all the qualities of the conventional one, as it will be encoded by the same DNA," Molento stated. The key advantage of this lab-grown alternative is its guaranteed purity. Unlike traditional ejiao, which carries risks of contamination from heavy metals and pathogens, the new production system promises a safer product.

This scientific endeavor seeks to strike a balance between consumer demand for traditional remedies and the urgent need for animal conservation. By offering a sustainable and pure alternative, the project could significantly curb the exploitation of donkeys while still catering to the market for ejiao.

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Except that we will be able to ensure its purity, as none of the contamination such as heavy metals and disease risks like pathogens exist in the new production system.