February 10, 2012 by Gia Campola
Definition of VIVISECTION 2 : minute or pitiless examination or criticism The definition above was taken from Merriam Webster Dictionary. This source for defining words has been used for many years and trusted by countless people. Please note the words, "physiological, distress, and pitiless". Humans and animals are alike in some ways but, physiologically, we have a great deal of differences. These differences can become an enormous variable when utilizing the results of animal experimentation. "Source Watch" published this finding: " Additionally, 88% of doctors queried agreed that animal experiments can be misleading because of anatomical and physiological differences between animals and humans. " Invalid test results are not the only concern. Hindering progression is also a threatening aspect of animal research. Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine, had this to say in regard to polio prevention research. "the work on [polio] prevention was long delayed by an erroneous conception of the nature of the human disease based on misleading experimental models of the disease in monkeys." The integrity behind vivisection has been questioned. The now standard warning on tobacco products was postponed while researchers, under pressure to produce results and merit federal funding, repeated experiments over and over. This folly cost thousands of people their lives. http://http://whitecoatwelfare.org/settlement.shtml Within the laboratory there are also extraneous variables that contribute to untrustworthy results. We all know that stress and fear can alter a person's physical state greatly and, in many cases, be the actual cause of serious ailments. Animals used in laboratory research are in a constant state of panic and fear. The realization that there is no escape, comfort or mercy available to them certainly affects their health and, most definitely, contributes to test results. Ann Baldwin summarizes why stress taints results: "The response is fuelled by stress hormones that flow through the body, altering every organ and biochemical function, with wide-ranging effects on metabolism, growth, and reproduction. " In other cases the conditions of the lab itself can affect testing. The filth present in many testing facilities has been repeatedly documented. The use of proper pre and post anesthesia and medication is often absent. If medications are used they are often shown to be expired. Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty is a massive international campaign to put an end to the practices of Huntington Life Sciences, Europe's largest animal testing organization. With animal testing facilities on several continents, Huntington Life Sciences performs animal testing for a multitude of private clients. Through undercover investigations and firsthand accounts from former Huntington Life Sciences employees, Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty has worked to expose Huntington Life Sciences animal testing practices, including filthy conditions, violent treatment of animal subjects and improper data collection. It has also been proven that a good deal of animal testing is pointless. Many previously fatal, problematic ailments have decresed due to our natural evolution and our continually progressing quality of life. http://http://animal-lib.org.au/subjects/animals-for-science/52-vivisection-.html Other experiments failed to prove very little at the cost of a great deal of animal suffering. A study done by Dr. Michael Berens, a neuro-oncology physician employed at St. Joseph's Hospital, Arizona. Performed a series of experiments on greyhounds and beagles in an attempt to introduce brain tumors into the animal's unborn fetuses. The results of his redundant testing can be found in this article. Please note how many of the dogs actually survived and the minute percentage of tumors ever present. http://www.vivisectioninfo.org/berens.html The professionalism and experience of the researchers has also been called into question. Be aware that the following videos are graphic, but clearly illustrate the inexperience and unprofessionalism of the researchers. Surely these problems greatly influence results. http://www.peta.org/tv/videos/animal-experimentation/803732648001.aspx http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKd6j31iIkg Another particularly frightening aspect of vivisection is the fact that many reserchers are simply satisfying their own macabre curiousity. Soviet surgeon, Vladimir Demikhov was infamous for his "grafting" experiments. He, repeatedly, grafted the head of one dog onto the body of another producing a two headed canine mutation. All dogs used suffered greatly before, during and after the operations. All perished within days. These disturbing images document this obsecnity, and are credited with many people deciding to treat animals more humanely in the medical field. http://www.google.com/search?q=Vladimir+Demikhov&hl=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source =univ&sa=X&ei=7YwgT8qDFuPY0QGgidmyCA&ved =0CC0QsAQ&biw=1708&bih=741 Harry Harlow, an employee at the University of Wisconsin-Madison devised many maniacal tests - the point of these tests is still questioned. We all must certainly know that a child deprived of maternal comfort or the victom of severe maternal abuse will not develop properly. The average person knows a child reared in this manner will become depressed, despondent and, perhaps, insane, Yet, Harlow developed torturous devices such as "The Pit of Despair" and the "Rape Rack". He also devised cruel surrogate, mechanical mothers - some offering food, others only consulation - the infant monkeys used in this experiment chose maternal comfort over the nutrient providing surrogate. The sick catch? The comfort giving surrogate would periodically inflict pain on the tiny monkey - but, they still desperately clung to her despite the cruelty. http://http://mangans.blogspot.com/2009/04/harry-harlows-pit-of-despair.html Redundancy and experimental antiquity are also problems of vivisection. Who among us does not know that spraying oven cleaner in our eyes or pouring bleach into them is harmful? Yet, the barbaric Draize Test is still used widely throughout the world. http://http://www.geari.org/faqdraize.html What many of us do not know is that there are now facilities strictly operated for the breeding and sale of animals to be used in research laboratories. These sentient creatures are now simply a commodity - another reflection of human's greed with no thought to ethics or morality. These animals are born, live and die without ever experiencing kindness. Rather, their daily life is filled with fear, panic, pain and cruelty. This uplifting video shows the rescue of a small number of dogs used in research. This is not the common case for these animals. The following video illustrates the ignorance and aggression of many workers in these fields. Their frustration is vented upon the defenseless and innocent. It is particularly upsetting that, intially, these dogs wag their tails - ever hopeful that a kindness be bestowed on them. Sadly, the cats seem to have become defenseless and continually struggle to find some safety. They are shown no mercy. (Graphic content) http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItM2ptst4u8 For those of us who still think it is only rats and guinea pigs used in experiments. Know that it is not. Those animals deserve the same humane treatment we would want for our pets but, somehow, many of us think of them differently. Well, what if it were your cat or dog? Many animals used in vivisection were someone's pet at one time. They are taken from shelters, pounds or "free to good home" ads. How would you react then? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqc885qA9k The anti vivisection movement is not fueled by an overly sensitive group
of animal lovers with sentimentally based reasoning. It is fueled by
rational, intelligent individuals who embrace compassion in all areas of
life. It is fueled by intellects, humanitarians and accomplished physicians.
"I abhor vivisection'. I know of no achievement through vivisection, no
scientific discovery that could not have been obtained without such
barbarism and cruelty."
http://The
fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to
the other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral
inferiority to any creatures that cannot. ~Mark Twain, What Is Man Now that we are aware we cannot commit the sin of apathy. We must act. There are valid alternatives to animal testing, In fact, The Johns Hopkins University is now devoting entire areas to the exploration of these alternatives. http://caat.jhsph.edu/ Choose cruelty free cosmetics and household items. http://http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx; http://www.idausa.org/facts/crueltyfree.html More easily, sign online petitions, send emails - they work. Scrutinize
our lifestyles and make changes. It is our responsibility to protect the
ones who can not protect themselves. Peace
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