Animal research: it's benefits to both humans & animals

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Animal research and it's benefits to both humans and animals

Thursday, 18-Nov-2004 News-Medical.Net

From preventing polio to finding cures for cancer patients, animal

research has saved countless lives. Using animals in research is a

concern to some; however, the benefits derived from the ethical, humane

use of laboratory animals for biomedical research are huge. Nearly every

major medical breakthrough in the last 100 years has been achieved by

research with animals.

" These animals are heroes. Their contribution to discovering life-saving

advancements in medicine and science-for both pets and humans-is

enormous, " said Jon Klingborg, DVM, president of the California

Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). " Thanks to the last century of

animal research, we have achieved life-saving treatments for people and

animals. As veterinarians, we are able to treat more ailments and

prevent more diseases, and that allows us to keep our pets living longer

and healthier. "

Without animal research, millions of dogs, cats, birds, and farm animals

would be dead from more than 200 diseases, including anthrax, distemper,

rabies, feline leukemia, and canine parvo virus, according to Americans

for Medical Progress (AMP), a nonprofit group that supports the

responsible and humane use of animals in biomedical research. Today,

those diseases are largely preventable, thanks to vaccines and

treatments developed in animal research.

In human terms, research with animals has led to vaccinations against

smallpox, measles, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus; development of

anesthesia, antibiotics, and insulin; use of cardiac pacemakers and

heart bypass surgery; surgical advancements for organ transplants, hip

replacements, and cataract surgery; and treatments for a host of

diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and children's

leukemia.

The CVMA supports the use of animal research when conducted in a

responsible, humane manner for medical and scientific research where

there are no non-animal alternatives. Federal law requires that animal

testing be conducted before most clinical trials involving people are

allowed.

Research animals are protected by a host of state, federal, and

international laws. It is estimated that less than half-a-percent of

research animals are dogs, cats, and primates. According to AMP, more

than 95 percent of research animals are rats and mice bred for research

studies.

In California, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

promotes the safe and humane treatment of research animals in hospitals,

universities, and research centers statewide. Its Northern California

chapter has more than 800 members, including veterinarians, researchers,

and educators.

" Looking back at what has been accomplished makes us even more hopeful

that animal research will continue to yield life-saving treatments for

ourselves and our pets, " said Dr. Klingborg.

http://www.cvma.net/