As hard as it is to believe, scores of animals are still subjected to needless, cruel, and inhumane procedures in the name of science. No matter that we are in the 21st Century, with ample means to measure what may have once been needed using animals; many labs still persist in this torture.
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| Photo courtesy of Purr Photography |
Once upon a time, we may have been limited in how and on what/whom we ran tests for research purposes. Today, animal testing is not only in most instances not necessary, it is also deemed to be an inaccurate means to garner information related to the human body. (And that’s when the research itself isn’t ridiculous.)
Methods utilizing in-vitro research, advanced technology, computer and mathematical modeling, epidemiology, genetic or clinical research, and even autopsies or post-marketing drug surveillance not only can replace the need for animals, but have also been determined to be more accurate in their results.
How can inhumane actions legally be performed on laboratory animals in this country, in this day and age? In the U.S., we have the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) as protector of animals. However…the guidelines outlined within it regarding research animals specifically pertain to the care of lab animals before and after testing – nothing is stipulated about what treatment is acceptable in between. Labs are essentially free to do as they wish to the test subjects during testing.
The end result is torture and mutilation of animals. Their cries of suffering go unheard. Knowing we don’t even need to be condemning rodents and small animals, cats, dogs, pigs, and chimpanzees to inhumane treatment – it’s time to end such practices, don’t you think?
This is “Be Kind to Animals” week – a good time to consider beginning new habits that benefit animals. What can we as individuals do?
- Stay current, become aware of current campaigns against these vile practices,
- join protests, sign and share petitions against animal testing as you learn of them.
- Avoid patronizing businesses that use testing on animals is a way to speak with your wallet – and can be a very effective one, too.
- Check out Leaping Bunny for an excellent list of companies and products that are kind to animals, then shop accordingly.
While we’re on the subject – right here in the Chicago area Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently pushed through a sweet deal with Experimur, a “toxicology testing and research” business (they do testing for Big Pharma). Offered $3.7 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, a percentage of this firm’s future profits will allegedly be passed on to the City of Chicago.
Great. On the backs of suffering animals our “city with big shoulders” here is attempting to manage its finances. Check out the link – it’s right there on their site which animals they test on.
Progress can be very slow…
Hoorible and disgusting. Let’s test that stuff on politicians instead!
Good idea, Brian! 😉
An excellent post for be kind to animals week. Now I regret not writing something myself. Animal testing is such a tough subject and while on one hand many human lives have been saved as a result of animal experimentation, non-animal, more reliable, widely available and less expensive testing alternatives do exist. I think there are definite ethical and scientific obligations not to use animals unnecessarily, especially when it comes to products just for human consumption. There is no excuse to use animals in that regard any more.
The saddest thing about animal testing is that most of it is not conducted to save human lives but to sell more products we don’t need to begin with.
Things are much better than they were but we have a long way to go.
Great post.
It’s disgusting, that’s for sure, in regards what loopholes and blatant cruelty there is with the guidelines and laws. For needless products, to boot. I was trying to sign that one petition but the page wouldn’t come up. I will try again later after I’m done commenting. Chicago is making money from Big Pharma in order for them to do animal testing, too. Yep. People can be cold blooded. Especially when big money is involved.
Never mind. I got it. 🙂
You really would think that the inhumane testing on animals would be but yet a horrible distant memory. How can this testing happen anywhere. Be kind to animals week should be every week.
All the best to you.
Gary
You got some excellent and thoughtful comments on this from Kristine and Pamela (and a good suggestion from Brian!) so all I can do is add my disgust for this practice and join in when I can in spreading the word. Thank you for your great Be Kind to Animals post.