Published in today's THE JOURNAL NEWS www.thejournalnews.com :

(Original publication: January 6, 2005)

The recent recall of Vioxx, with additional warnings about many over- the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, also highlight the inadequacy of animal testing and the public's reliance on drugs as a "quick fix."

The public is given a false sense of security about animal-tested drugs, but pharmaceutical animal testing is not mandated by the Food and Drug Administration � it is used as a buffer against lawsuits.

There is considerable literature and statistical data available disputing the efficacy of animal testing � read "Sacred Cows and Golden Geese" by Dr. Ray Greek; visit Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine online www.pcrm.org .

Animals' physiognomies differ from people's: Rats can eat strychnine with impunity, chocolate is toxic to dogs. Additionally, animal testing actually delays progress: After spending years testing a drug on a mouse, it's then tested on a dog, on a monkey, on a cow � all still to the effect we've seen recently. Viability in humans becomes almost accidental.

Furthermore, most people refuse to take responsibility for their own health and figure "it's OK, they'll invent a pill" to make us feel better. I had severe asthma for 20 years; though the doctors gave me an endless supply of drugs, they never once asked me about my diet.

I took responsibility for my health into my own hands, read up on natural treatments, gave up dairy � and became asthma-free.

Especially with modern technology going through the roof, it's ridiculous to sacrifice a monkey and expect progressive, sophisticated test results. And don't depend on a pill to fix your life.

Kiley Blackman, Yonkers

(letters to the editor: [email protected] , 250 wds or less, incl name, address, phone # for verification)

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