Most individuals today think that animal testing is nil and void after the big social push by Greenpeace back in the 1980's to end the use of whale oil in makeup, and animal testing for grooming products. Many of these companies (with the exception of Gillette Inc. whom I still refrain from purchasing products today) did change their practices somewhat, looking to publish 'no animal testing' on their labels and satisfy customers.
The truth is animal testing is at its highest ever in human history. So what happened? Population grew, new products were developed and animal testing continued to grow leaps and bounds. Manufacturers found ways around the labeling laws. Nothing changed, we just didn't know about it. Thankfully, because of the internet and sites like youtube the truth is coming to light. Animal rights activists have been able to enter into these horrific dungeons of pain, suffering and death undercover and film with hidden cameras. Often times this, followed with charges of animal abuse, the successful release of animals, or the complete shut down of the facility. Unfortunately with the closing of one facility, two more opened.
But there is good news on the horizon thanks to Wyss Institute of Harvard University. They have developed a new chip that assimilates human organs, cheaper than animal testing, simpler to use and more accurate. This can create a profound shift in human history if pharmaceuticals and other institutes using cruel animal testing move swiftly to adopt this new technology.
I in the words of Gandhi "The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." And since then the world has failed very badly. Let's vision greatness in ourselves again and end the cruel and unnecessary practice of animal testing forever.
Organs on a Chip from Wyss Institute on Vimeo.
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