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Politicians Must Stop Research Laboratories
posted on January 10, 2006
 Politicians Must Help Stop the Increase of Animals Suffering in Research Laboratories.
A Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) report of the numbers of animals used in research, teaching and testing has revealed an increased of 16% from 2002 to nearly two and a half millions animals in Canada in 2003.
"The horrors of vivisection continues behind closed doors." stated Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founder, "Governments' promises for "Replacement, Reduction and Refinement" have been broken. More animals are suffering in inhumane, scientifically fallacious experiments and more health care funds are being wasted."
Researchers create "animal models" by attempting to mimic naturally occurring human health problems in formerly healthy animals. However, they are not studying the actual human maladies and animals react differently to the drugs and methodologies tested. There are major biological and anatomical differences between and within all species.
The animal experiments are only part of the research system. They are conducted before, during and after human clinical and invitro (nonanimal) studies. For example, Depro-Provera, now being used as a birth control method, caused cancer in animals and increased risk of breast cancer in people but is still marketed. Further, saccharin caused cancer in animals but only a warning was put on the packaged product. Drug side effects cannot be determined in animal models so are listed in a long list of warnings when marketed. When drugs fail the animal tests companies say that you can't rely on animal tests.
So why do these questionable practices continue? Methodologies are available that are more effective and do not involve animals. (See Better Living on our web site). The multi-billion dollar animal research industry includes businesses from cage and restraint manufacturers to animal dealers. A decrease in animal use means a decrease in profits.
The Peer Review System and the pro-vivisection organizations such as the CCAC protect the vivisectors not the animals. The CCAC inspections are confidential (many facilities are only given conditional approvals and two are on "probation" - April 2004 to March 2005) and there are no bans on even the cruellest practices (categories D and E). Lifeforce is the only organization in Canada that has succeeded in laying cruelty to animal charges against researchers. Our 1984 case exposed the practice of restraining baboons for four months in experiments funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
In addition to many other species, in 2003 there were 9501dogs (4693 were "Random Source") and 3530 cats (2833 were "Random Source") used. Dogs and cats are still obtained from "Random Sources" such as pounds - they were formerly people's companions. Dogs are popular "animal models" for heart, spinal cord and emphysema experiments. Cats are frequently used for brain/vision studies, spinal cord experiments and drug tests.
In 2003, institutions providing the information confessed that 1306 dogs and 496 cats were subjected to "moderate to severe distress or discomfort" (Category D). The use of anesthic/analgesia for invasive procedures can be withheld for "strong, scientifically-based justification is provided...".
In 2003, 58% of the animals were subjected to "fundamental studies" - basic science that is curiosity studies with no direct benefit to humans. That's why whenever "breakthroughs" are reported researchers add that further studies are needed.
BACKGROUND - Examples of Animal Experiments in Canada
Dog Experiments by UBC Researcher
Researchers at various labs, including the McDonald Research Laboratory, University of British Columbia, write that they have developed A CANINE MODEL FOR EMPHYSEMA. Over the years Lifeforce has investigated similar experiments at UBC and St. Paul's Hospital. Some of the research was funded by tobacco companies and subjected animals to cigarette smoke.
This model produces extreme emphysema only closely resembling that encountered in humans (but not the same as). They said that the animals could be maintained indefinitely. So the dogs would be confined in a research laboratory cage. They claimed the this dog model will be of value in developing imaging techniques capable of safely evaluating the effect of treatment on emphysema in patients. However, non-invasive imaging techniques can be used to determine treatments for people with the actual health problem.
In experiments funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation the
arteries of dogs are restricted to induce heart attacks/strokes.
Kittens are intentionally crippled in spinal cord experiments
that have been funded by Rick Hansen Foundation and others. |
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