OPINION/COMMENTARY

PETA or Medical Research?

PETA flat-out opposes the use of animals in medical research, claiming that “Even animal research that is carried out for ‘medical purposes’ tends to be irrelevant to human health.” This claim is ridiculous. Not only has research with laboratory animals led to countless medical advances for people—including with respect to vaccines, drugs, smallpox, diabetes, heart disease, surgery, organ transplants and much more—but also for animals. “For years, there was basically one way to treat sick pets: Put them to sleep. But today they can live happy, long lives,” says the Foundation for Biomedical Research, an organization “dedicated to improving human and animal health by promoting public understanding and support for the humane and responsible use of animals in medical and scientific research.” The crusade by animal rights extremists against medical research stoops far below respectful, non-violent philosophical difference....

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