Animal experiments on the rise
The number of animals killed in medical or scientific experiments in Australia is on the rise. Statistics just released for NSW show that in one 12 month period more than 20,000 animals were killed in product testing and more than 13,000 were subjected to experiments involving “major physiological challenges”. This is despite all research institutions being bound by a code of conduct which requires them to reduce the numbers of animals used in experiments wherever possible. In a recent experiment a group of macaque monkeys had their spinal cords cut by researchers at Melbourne University before being forced to carry out tests to examine their hand dexterity. Animal experimentation, also known as vivisection, is frequently defended on the grounds that it is necessary for the safe development of new technologies that will benefit humans. Animal rights campaigners, however, question this supposed benefit and argue that the practice of vivisection reflects humankind’s inability to seriously consider the rights of animals. Tristan Burt spoke to Glenys Oogjes, executive director of Animals Australia, about why the practice of vivisection is on the rise in Australia. He asked just how many animals were killed nationwide every year in the name of science.