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The laws on animal testing differ from country to country, I have researched into animal testing for all purposes with in the United Kingdom and found the following case for animal testing. This year alone over 3,000,000 operations were performed including 90,000 cataract operations and 400 heart and lung transplant. All of these procedures were only made possible thanks to previous procedure testing on animals.

Contrary to the belief that most research animals are either stolen or unwanted pets, the law only allows approved breeders to supply medical research with animals. The number of animals used in medical research has decreased since 1970 from 5.9 million to 2.8 million. 82% of all animals used are rodents, only 0.1% are monkeys, and 0.4% are dogs and cats. Using Chimpanzees, Gorillas or Orang-utans in scientific research is illegal.

All vertebrate animals and one species of Octopus are protected in the UK by the Animals (Scientific Procedures Act) 1986, which was last reviewed on 23 December 2003. This law covers scientific procedures that 'may have the effect of causing that animal pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm'. It covers all species of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptile, amphibians and fish) and one species of octopus.

I do not believe it is necessary to test for beauty products, and only use products that I know have not been tested on animals. However, just because the product has not been tested does not mean that the ingredients weren't either. Since May 1997 the Government has restricted scientific procedures using animals including an end to testing cosmetic ingredients and products and an end to testing alcohol and tobacco products.

In the UK animals used within research facilities are protected by the following acts of law:

*Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

*Protection of Animals Act 1934

The government bodies enforcing these acts are:

*Royal Society of Protection against Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

*Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

*Animal Procedures Committee

*Farm Animal Welfare Council

Welfare issues are as important to the people who carry out the research as it is to you or I. If an animal is ill or is in any discomfort it is put to sleep humanely. There is no point in carrying out life saving research on mistreated animals as the results would be inconclusive.

I am an animal lover, and as a veterinary nurse do not like to see animals being harmed or mistreated in any way, shape or form, however as a human being I honestly think that without animal testing for medication and surgical procedures would be detrimental to our own communities.

Learn more about this author, Charlotte Howard.
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