The use of animals in laboratories is still widespread, with over 3 million animals killed each year in UK laboratories and many more worldwide (an estimated 115 million). Around half of these are killed in Universities, and those experimented on routinely include mice and rats, dogs, horses and primates. 

 

It’s fair to say that when we consider the use of animals for testing, this is a ‘serious’ use of animals, as distinct from the ‘frivolous’ use of animals for food, clothing and entertainment, none of which are necessary. Some will argue that animal testing is justified because of the greater good and the development of life saving medicines and put forward a case that testing on animals in necessary for the advancement of human health. That is a topic for moral & scientific debate, but there are three factors that are of real relevance here. One – animal testing has proven time and again to be inaccurate, and at times misleading, and there are multiple studies and research to demonstrate this. Two – we have a lot of alternatives to animal testing available on the market, that have been proven to be a lot more effective in determining the efficiency and effects of new medicines, without the carnage and wastage of life, for either animals or humans. And Three – these animals are sentient beings and have a right not to be imprisoned and tortured, and we violate those rights in the most extreme and cruel ways imaginable when we test on animals.

 

The movement against animal testing does in fact predate veganism as a social movement, with a number of anti vivisection groups founded in the late 1900’s and early 20^th century, some of which were aligned with the suffragette movement, which in turn was aligned with the fledgling vegetarian movement at the turn of the last century.

 

The current UK Government has pledged to phase out animal testing over the next few years, but even with this pledge, progress is slow. But advancements in alternative testing are potentially likely to outstrip any legislative changes, and the continued pressure from a number of active campaign groups is helping ensure progress is maintained and in time increased to the point where we no longer test on animals. In short, animal testing is outdated, inaccurate and inhumane, and for many vegans, the main reason as to why they became vegan in the first place. Veganism and animal liberation are entwined.

 

”Whether we exploit animals to eat, to wear, to entertain us, or to learn, the truth of animal rights requires empty cages, not larger cages”  Tom Regan

 

 

Further Reading