Millions of animals are being poisoned, burned, infected and dissected in the course of research. EVERY year, an estimated 115 million animals are used for research and experiments in the name of science. Some of the animals commonly used in tests include dogs, cats, rodents (rats, mice, guinea pigs and hamsters), rabbits, fruit flies, fish, birds, frogs and non-human primates such as the common Macaque, baboons, squirrel monkeys and marmosets.
Supporters argue that progress in modern medicine depended on animal testing, while animal rights activists vehemently question its legitimacy.
Closer home, we have our share of proponents who feel it is justified to use animals to serve our needs. Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was quoted as saying that God created animals to be used by humans, and animals needed to be sacrificed in order to find vaccines and cures for diseases.
Almost brain-dead: This monkey in a lab in Utah, the United States, had holes bored into his head, titanium pins drilled into his skull, electrodes implanted in his brain, and a metal device attached to his head so he could be restrained during experiments.
The state’s proposed plans to set up an animal testing laboratory for its cancer and diabetic research centre in Rembia, Alor Gajah, created a public uproar.