My husband is a research scientist who does conduct research using animals. Let me add that he loves animals more than most people. I think it should be pointed out that many institutions that conduct animal research do so with great care and use most, if not ALL of the animal for various research. One lab gets this part, one lab gets that part, etc. Not much is wasted. Before too many of you jump on those who conduct such research, think about the thousands upon thousands of people whose lives will be touched. I'm not talking about cosmetics, but medical research.

Do you know anyone how had a child that was born prematurely? The research conducted by my husband's lab studied brain development of premature animals (won't say what kind as there are some seriously disturbed and scary people out there). By studying the dendrites of these animals, it became clear that dendrite growth is much slower and never fully develops on those (humans/animals) who are born prematurely. This lab found that certain fatty acids and lipids added to the premature infant's diet increased the growth of the dendrites, hence increasing the chance of a more "normal" development of the brain. Infant formula can now be found in local grocery stores with these lipids/lipils added. Think of those septuplets...the McCoys I believe....without such scientific research, many of their children would not have developed as much as they have. Children with lower birthweights simply were not surviving.....now they are...and it is due to the animal research that has been going on. Think about it....do you know anyone who has had a premature infant? That's just one small facet of animal research and how it can effect millions of lives.

When my husband was hired at this lab, I expressed concern. He assured me that the animal care was better than most animals receive in regular homes. They are fed, cleaned and monitored hourly. I would like to think that the majority of labs treat their animals as such as they are giving their lives in return for valuable research. The labs that do not maintain these standards, in my opinion, should be shut down and put out of business.

Michelle