Animal-free research call
From: Dawn Biram
Sheffield S17
Just as we know that a huge investment in green technologies a few decades ago would have been the wisest course of action, the same can be said of investing in replacement methods to the use of animals in medical experiments now.
Choosing the most ethical path often proves in the long run to be by far the most progressive, cost-effective and healthy. Animal-based medical research is fundamentally flawed because the results apply to the particular species of animal used in the experiment.
The biggest obstacle to the replacement of animals in medical research has been the ingrained attitudes of those old school researchers that claim there is no other way to do it and that animals don’t suffer in laboratories because there are laws to protect them.
In my experiences as a biomedical researcher I saw animal methods still routinely being used where valid alternatives were already available and the weak animal procedures rules being broken. To say that animals don’t suffer in laboratories because we have the toughest regulation in the world is like saying that there is no speeding in Britain because there are laws to prevent drivers doing that.
Replacing animals in medical research needs real commitment, not just lip service. The Dr Hadwen Trust has that commitment and I would like to thank those runners that raised money for this charity in Ecclesall Woods in the Run for ALL Life, also to Pure Gym for supporting the event.
The money will help to continue the funding of projects tackling cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart and liver disease, to name just a few, and in developing new technologies suitable for a progressing world.
According to the latest Home Office statistics, over 3.5 million animals are still being used annually in experimental procedures in the UK. This includes 3,564 pigs, 4,129 dogs and 2,815 non-human primates. If anyone wants to help change this you can donate online www.justgiving.com/Run-for-ALL-Life or, for more information about the Dr Hadwen Trust, visit www.drhadwentrust.org
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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