Animal research is based on a false idea: that the results obtained from non-human animals can be applied to the human body. The reactions of animals to drugs, vaccines and experiments not only differ from those of humans, but differ from species to species. Not taking into account this profound difference has been and still is very costly for human health.
A clear example of the dangers of animal experiments is the tragedy of Thalidomide in the 60s and 70s. This drug was sold as a sedative for pregnant or lactating women with the guarantee that it did not hurt the mother or to the baby. But thousands of children were born with severe deformities.
There are many cases like the one named above. The truth is that although pharmaceutical products are tested on animals, the Journal of the American Medical Association ensures that 100,000 patients per year die from prescription drugs and that more than two million are hospitalized with very serious complications because of them. The British Medical Journal also revealed that four out of ten patients who take a prescription drug will suffer noticeable or severe side effects.
Then, why tormenting animals with the only justification that we are doing good to humanity. In the 21st century, science will surely find a quick and less traumatic substitute.
