[Image taken from Humane Society International website]
Good to see our local MP speaking up for animals subjected to the cruelty of laboratory experiments.
In a debate – held in response to a petition that gathered 110,277 signatures and was supported by the actor Peter Egan – Ms Hobhouse said how disheartening it was to see the Government continuing to allow unnecessary suffering.
Currently, laboratory animals are excluded from the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Scientists have apparently noted the inefficacy of animal testing for devising new drugs for humans. In fact, 9 out of 10 drugs that appear safe and effective in animal tests fail to prove useful in human trials. See https://www.hsi.org/news-media/about/
Ms Hobhouse said:
“It’s disheartening to see the Government continue to allow unnecessary suffering in the UK when 75% of the UK public want an end to animal testing. Subjecting animals to such suffering is both morally and scientifically unjustifiable. The public understands this and it’s time that the Government did, too.
“Many constituents got in touch and described their love of animals. People see themselves through the eyes of their pets. They see a friend, capable of affection, happiness and pain and it’s upsetting to learn that in labs across the country, man’s best friends are subject to torturous experiments under the guise of public good. The Government must do the right thing and include laboratory animals in the upcoming Animal Welfare Act.”
Needless to say, the Government has responded to the petition in the negative stating that “the Government has no plans to amend the Animal Welfare Act (2006). We consider enabling the properly regulated use of animals in science is essential to improving the health and lives of humans and animals and to the safety and sustainability of our environment.”
