In our opinion, one of the most egregious, unnecessary uses of
taxpayers’ money is the horrible suffering caused to live animals in
military trauma training.
“In medical training courses, the U.S. Army poisons monkeys to
imitate nerve gas exposure. Live goats and pigs are burned or maimed to
teach military personnel how to respond to severe battlefield injuries.”
“In 2007 alone, over 8,750 animals suffered and were killed as a
result of procedures. From what we have been able to determine, the
Department of Defense (DoD) paid one contractor more than $4 million –
of tax-payer money – for these courses between July 2005 and September
2007.”
“…the use of animals in military medical courses constitutes a
violation of the DoD’s own animal welfare joint regulation, which
states: ‘Alternative methods to the use of animals must be considered
and used if such alternatives produce scientifically valid or equivalent
results to attain research, education, training, and testing
objectives.’ ”
“The use of pigs and goats for combat casualty training is simply not
effective. These animals have anatomical and physiological differences
from humans. They have smaller torsos and limbs, thicker skin, different
responses to anesthesia and analgesia, and completely different anatomy.
As a result of these differences, it is impossible to mimic human wounds
or treatment in pigs and goats.”
“Superior training methods exist for each area of animal use.”
