Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Swiss vote on banning animal testing.
#1
Switzerland is holding a vote on the banning of animal testing. Animal rights groups have gained enough support to force a referendum. Switzerland uses more than 550,000 lab animals each year. The pharmaceutical industry is very big in the country. They claim that they cannot manage to do research or develop new drugs without animal testing. They claim they would have to relocate to other countries. The ban is not expected to pass, although we can hope. The vote itself has brought the issue to the public eye.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/scienc...022-02-10/

It would be amazing if it passed. Just being able to force such a vote is a big step. 
Many industries that use animals in tests are very much unwilling to consider change. Animal tests have been shown to be unreliable. There are alternatives.
Still the pharmaceutical industry will not consider anything else, but animal testing. 

Maybe the only way to change the industry is to have new companies produce medications and treatments that are labeled as not tested on animals. 
That is what is happening with personal care products. Many of us would not buy a shampoo that did not have a not tested on animals label. Would I specifically choose to buy a vitamin that was labeled as not tested on animals?  Yes. Even if it cost me more. Yes. 
If we want to change the drug industry we need to do it by our shopping habits. If they were losing money, I think they would change.
[Image: IMG_9091.JPG]
Catherine

Reply
#2
I am sure that your assessment is right. Pharma is very big in Switzerland and the threat to relocate will frighten many people, for whom economics are more important than ethics and compassion. But as you say, we can hope and the the fact that a referendum is even to take place is a positive step.
Reply
#3
We are not to the point where animal testing will be banned, but it is being questioned a lot. People are searching for products not tested on animals.
We don't trust the results of animal testing for medications and treatments. I don't think all the researchers trust their results.

A smart pharmaceutical company would think ahead and make a point of moving away from animal testing. They could be very public about it and they would gain the support and loyalty  of all of us who are against animal testing. I think this is the way of the future. There will still be some fighting to hang on to old methods, but change will come. When I read about a vote like this I know that change is happening.

I think we will live to see things like fur farming and animal testing banned. It just won't happen soon enough for the animals who are suffering now.
[Image: IMG_9091.JPG]
Catherine

Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
Created by Zyggy's Web Design