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xibo · 01-18-2006, 11:14 PM

If any of you have read the thread I started earlier you can probably guess my opinion on this whole thing, but as a side note and something that wasn't mentioned in your previous thread about animal testing; One of the most common procedures done in animal labs is called the "Draize" eye test. This is where a rabbit's eye is swabbed or dripped with a suspected irritant and the results are then used to determine whether a product is safe for human use or not. Again, having read numerous medical reports, some citing information acquired via animal testing, I can say with informed certainty that the results of this test can be easily acquired with equivalent if not more accuracy by doing a cell culture test...also, rabbits don't have tear ducts like humans, so their eyes are different in that way as well. A bill was put forward to ban this test about 5 years ago but many companies disagreed and pushed for dismissal, which was given, and the test is still done today.

Knowing what I know about medicine and research, I know that there are many alternatives to animal testing, the only hitch is that it costs more in some cases and takes more qualified personnel to execute and interpret. Companies have been forced to look into alternative methods of testing their products due to growing concern about the welfare of animals, and many have dismissed animal testing altogether. And good for them. But many have not.

I did my undergrad in neuroscience and took many courses in aniimal behaviour and cognition. Dogs feel pain, dogs have the neural capacity to feel anxiety, become depressed, to live in fear as do cats and even smaller animals such as mice, rats and guinea pigs. The difference between these creatures and humans is that an explanation for what is going on can be explained to us, it can't to them.

One might argue that eating meat is, in itself, condoning animal abuse, which may or may not be true. I'm not a vegetarian, so perhaps I'm a hypocrite. This issue is so crazily convoluted and intensely close to the heart that having a civilized discussion sometimes becomes out of control with passion.

Considering the cognitive ability of dogs, though, and their potential to feel, they shouldn't be kept as anything but special tenants within our homes and our hearts...again...only in my opinion.

01-18-2006, 11:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
xibo The Zookeeper Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 15 Rep Power: 56	If any of you have read the thread I started earlier you can probably guess my opinion on this whole thing, but as a side note and something that wasn't mentioned in your previous thread about animal testing; One of the most common procedures done in animal labs is called the "Draize" eye test. This is where a rabbit's eye is swabbed or dripped with a suspected irritant and the results are then used to determine whether a product is safe for human use or not. Again, having read numerous medical reports, some citing information acquired via animal testing, I can say with informed certainty that the results of this test can be easily acquired with equivalent if not more accuracy by doing a cell culture test...also, rabbits don't have tear ducts like humans, so their eyes are different in that way as well. A bill was put forward to ban this test about 5 years ago but many companies disagreed and pushed for dismissal, which was given, and the test is still done today. Knowing what I know about medicine and research, I know that there are many alternatives to animal testing, the only hitch is that it costs more in some cases and takes more qualified personnel to execute and interpret. Companies have been forced to look into alternative methods of testing their products due to growing concern about the welfare of animals, and many have dismissed animal testing altogether. And good for them. But many have not. I did my undergrad in neuroscience and took many courses in aniimal behaviour and cognition. Dogs feel pain, dogs have the neural capacity to feel anxiety, become depressed, to live in fear as do cats and even smaller animals such as mice, rats and guinea pigs. The difference between these creatures and humans is that an explanation for what is going on can be explained to us, it can't to them. One might argue that eating meat is, in itself, condoning animal abuse, which may or may not be true. I'm not a vegetarian, so perhaps I'm a hypocrite. This issue is so crazily convoluted and intensely close to the heart that having a civilized discussion sometimes becomes out of control with passion. Considering the cognitive ability of dogs, though, and their potential to feel, they shouldn't be kept as anything but special tenants within our homes and our hearts...again...only in my opinion.