Tests on animals cannot be trusted (From News Shopper)

Tests on animals cannot be trusted

10:49am Tuesday 15th April 2008 in Letters

PLEASE spare a thought for the human and animal victims of vivisection on World Animal Laboratory Day on April 26.

Alexander Fleming said misleading results from animal testing almost prevented the discovery of the entire field of antibiotics.

Dr Klausner of the US National Cancer Institute stated "we have lost cures for cancer because they were ineffective in mice".

Many drugs considered "safe" after animal tests are released onto the market with catastrophic consequences.

Arthritis drug Vioxx killed up to 140,000 people after supposedly being proved safe in animals, including monkeys. Thalidomide was also passed safe in animals.

Why do they continue? Animal tests help pharmaceutical companies get huge numbers of new drugs onto the market quickly.

ROBERT ROACH

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