• Question: What are your opiions on animal testing

    Asked by 08ahorner2011 to Amelia, Jim, Liz on 23 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by elliemae.
    • Photo: Amelia Markey

      Amelia Markey answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      I think that in some cases testing on animals is necessary as there is no other way.

      The animals are treated well and you need to be qualified to handle and perform research on animals. A lot of work goes into making sure that the animals don’t suffer and as few animals are used as possible when it is absolutely necessary to use them.

      A lot of research is also going into alternative methods so hopefully we won’t need to test on animals as much in the future.

    • Photo: Jim Caryl

      Jim Caryl answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      I made a personal choice not to work with animals, but I totally understand that their use is necessary in some medical research, and am satisfied that the laws governing how they are used and cared for are strict enough. I have worked with people who work with animals, and they they put a great deal of effort into ensuring experiments are correctly designed so animals aren’t used needlessly.

      It will be nice if, and when, we reach a point where alternative models can be used to test many aspects of biomedical research, but until that time, the role of animals as unsung heroes in research that saves lives will continue to be an important one.

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