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Letters
Animal testing doesn't ensure safety 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
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