Animal testing, or vivisection, is the testing of cosmetics, drugs, household products and many other everyday items on animals. Vivisection literally means "cutting alive". And that is exactly what happens. Every second, of every day, of every year, an animal dies in research labs in the United States. That means that while you have been reading this, about 30 defenseless animals have died in a laboratory (Harris).

It is impossible to know the exact number of animals that have died in the name of science. This is due partly to the fact that some scientists refuse to disclose the details of their experiments. However, using the facts that are available, it is estimated that academic researchers in America alone use between 17 and 22 million animals per year. The cosmetics industry uses about a million more animals (Coleman).

Animal experimentation is said to be necessary for the welfare and health of

· Surveys of diseases of other cultures, life styles, diets: human case studies, autopsy reports and statistical analyses of effects of various factors on the incidence of disease

"Quotations About Animals, Animal Rights, and Vivisection." http://www.freezone.co.uk/vivabsurd/xquotes.html March 8, 2001.

· Chromatography and mass spectrometry to separate drugs at their smallest (molecular) level to identify their properties

· Discarded human placentas may be used for mocrovascular surgery practice and can provide accurate data for sensitivity to chemicals

· Mechanical models and simulators to teach and test. Simulators already exists for the heart, circulatory, lungs and respiratory systems, and funding should be encouraged for the design of simulators for the rest of the human body

· Human volunteers can be paid to participate in controlled studies of diets, vitamins and conditions that effect the rate of disease

The facts speak for themselves. Animal testing is cruel and unnecessary. There are several alternatives to vivisection that should be strongly considered by researchers and the government alike. We should respect our animals in the same way that we respect other humans. Consider the following quote by Gandhi (Quotations):

Harris, L. "What is Vivisection?" h

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)