NEWS ABOUT: animal testing
animal testing stories: 4 news briefs
Animal campaigners seek a better quality
of life for lab rats
Wall Street Journal May 16, 09 11:24 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Activists have managed to improve the lives of many animals in recent years, but they've met indifference when it comes to getting a better deal for rodents, the Wall Street Journal reports. Rats and mice make up 90% of the animals used in research in the US, say advocates, but privately funded labs aren't required to follow even basic animal welfare guidelines when it comes to rodents.
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Campaigners question need to test body armor by blowing up pigs in Humvees
USA Today Apr 8, 09 4:00 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Animal rights activists have condemned the US military for blowing up live pigs to test body armor, USA Today reports. Military officials say the tests provided valuable information on the relationship between body armor and brain injury. But critics say the pig-blasting program caused unnecessary animal suffering for questionable results.
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Animals 'cooked to death' when heating system malfunctioned
Associated Press Aug 8, 08 6:15 AM CDT
(AP Summary) -
Thirty-two research monkeys at a Nevada laboratory died because their human handlers left the room fatally hot, said officials for the drug company that runs the facility. Charles River Laboratories representatives have met with USDA officials to discuss new measures to avoid a repeat of the accident that involved a faulty heating system, according to the company. The USDA reportedly cited the lab for dozens of violations of the Animal Welfare Act the last three years.
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Much-maligned animals laugh, dream, look forward to sex
New York Times Jul 24, 07 5:48 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Rats may be repulsive to some, but scientists are finding that they're a lot like humans. A recent crop of behavioral studies shows that rats are astonishingly self-aware, Natalie Angier reports in today's Times. They laugh when tickled and dream in epic narratives. There are even rat optimists and rat pessimists, their personalities forged by upbringing and environment.
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