Animal Experimentation Under Fire
Scientific and spiritual leaders speak out for humane alternatives
What do the National Research Council (NRC), Coke and Pepsi, and the Dalai Lama have in common? They all recently took actions which could help end animal experimentation.
The NRC released a report this month that shows chemical tests on animal subjects are less efficient and more expensive than research done using databases with specialized computer programs which can process information in a mere fraction of the time it takes to conduct research on animals. The NRC, which advises the U.S. government on scientific issues, says that the automated technique "would generate more-relevant data to evaluate risks people face, expand the number of chemicals that could be scrutinized, and reduce the time, money, and animals involved in testing." The NRC also stated that, "Over time, the need for traditional animal testing could be greatly reduced, and possibly even eliminated someday."
Days after the NRC report came out, the Dalai Lama called for an end to animal experimentation, even criticizing research organizations that "remain indifferent" to the suffering of their living subjects. Speaking to a sold-out audience of 5,000 at the Australian zoo formerly owned by the late Steve Irwin (of "Crocodile Hunter" fame), the influential Nobel Prize-winning spiritual and political leader of Tibet also made a plea for vegetarianism. "Hunting, beef, sheep farms, piggeries, millions, billions, die," he said. "We can be so cruel to animals."
Finally, even Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are taking action to reduce animal experimentation. The companies recently announced that they would no longer directly fund research on animals in product testing or development (excepting tests that are required by the government). For years, both Coke and Pepsi have been using rats, chimpanzees, and other species in taste test perception experiments. The soft drink giants now join Welch's, Ocean Spray, and Pom Wonderful in agreeing not to conduct cruel and unnecessary experiments on animals.
What You Can Do
These positive developments are consistent with IDA's Reallocation Initiative, which advocates the reapportioning of resources currently used for animal experimentation toward the increased use and development of humane non-animal research alternatives. Learn more about the Reallocation Initiative and how it can help end animal experimentation.
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