Stop Killing Sharks For Dubious Bone Supplements
10,355 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Rainforest Site
There's no proof that shark cartilage helps human joints, and no reason these products should be sold! Tell GNC to stop now!
Sign today and stop health supplement retailer GNC from contributing to the further death of countless sharks.
Many shark species are nearing extinction, and some are protected by the United Nations Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) [1], yet an estimated 100 million sharks were killed by commercial fisheries in in 2013 alone [2].
The top five most endangered sharks in the world, the basking shark, dusky shark, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark, and great white shark, are all being hunted and stripped of their fins for various purposes [3].
GNC has contributed in no small amount to the killing of those sharks by continuing to purchase and stock supplements made from shark cartilage. These supplements profess to aid sore bones and joints. Meanwhile, there is little evidence to support those health claims [4].
Clinical trials have shown that the quality of life in those with serious disease has not improved with shark cartilage, but more often that not deteriorated or remained poor [5]. Despite its little efficacy, people suffering from cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders have relied on shark cartilage preparations for years [6], and thanks to retailers like GNC, still do.
The continued marketing of shark cartilage pills for their mucopolysaccharide and chondroitin content as joint and bone supplements or tumor suppressants is dishonest at best [6]. At worst, it's contributing to the extinction of one of our planet's most incredible creatures.
At least 169 countries have agreed to be legally bound by the United Nations Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), and many of those recognize the status of shark species on the IUCN's Red List, which indicates a quarter of all sharks are threatened with extinction [8].
This is a trend that can change, but only with your help.
Tell GNC to pull these products from its shelves, and protect the future of sharks everywhere.
[1] "What Sharks are Protected?" Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from https://seastewards.org/projects/shark-finning/what-sharks-are-protected/
[2] Phys.org (2013, March 4), "Scientists estimate more than 100 million sharks killed annually." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from https://phys.org/news/2013-03-fishing-significant-shark-population-declines.html
[3] Karl Burkart (2010, August 10), "Top 5 endangered sharks." Retrieved August 16 from https://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/top-5-endangered-sharks
[4] Melissa Cronin (2014, October 10), "GNC Slammed For Selling Shark Cartilage." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from https://www.thedodo.com/gnc-shark-cartilage-petition-758541291.html
[5] Gary Anderson (1998 November), "Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9817287
[6] Environmental Action, "Tell GNC to stop selling products with Shark Cartilage." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from http://petitions.moveon.org/environmental-action/sign/tell-gnc-to-stop-selling
[7] Gary Stokes (2014, May 9), "Pills of Extinction." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-commentary/commentary/pills-of-extinction.html
[8] IUCN Red List (2014, January 21), "A quarter of sharks and rays threatened with extinction." Retrieved Nov. 15, 2017 from http://www.iucnredlist.org/news/a-quarter-of-sharks-and-rays-threatened-with-extinction
The Petition:
Dear GNC,
I demand you immediately pull all products containing shark cartilage from your shelves and stop contributing to the slaughter of millions of sharks each year.
Despite being marketed as a solution for sore joints and even cancer, clinical trials have shown that the quality of life in those with serious disease has not improved with shark cartilage, but more often that not deteriorated or remained poor.
The continued marketing of shark cartilage pills for their mucopolysaccharide and chondroitin content as joint and bone supplements or tumor suppresants is dishonest at best. At worst, it's contributing to the extinction of one of our planet's most incredible creatures.
An estimated 100 million sharks were killed by commercial fisheries in in 2013 alone. Many of those species are nearing extinction ,and GNC is only hastening their fate.
There is no reason dubious products based on inconclusive science should be promoted at the cost of some of our planet's most incredible creatures.
Remove shark cartilage products from your stores today.
Sincerely,
