IMPORTANT NOTE: This document is reproduced for reference purposes only, it contains false and unsubstantiated claims designed to mislead the public. It MUST be viewed in conjunction with its rebuttal (which can be viewed by selecting this link). |
Animals play a big part in our New Zealand way of life.
Farmed sheep, cattle and deer provide us with most of our export income. We treasure our pets and rare native birds. We enjoy television programmes about wildlife and movies featuring animals.
Laboratory animals play an equally important role. Thanks to animal research, most New Zealanders enjoy long and healthy lives, and our pets and farm animals are protected from painful and fatal diseases.
Most advances in human and animal health this century have resulted from animal research.
Epidemics of diseases like polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and scarlet fever once killed hundreds of New Zealand children every year. Vaccines developed using laboratory animals mean that these diseases are now all but a distant memory.
Pets and farm animals used to die in their thousands from parasites and infectious diseases. Medicines and vaccines developed through animal research have made these problems a thing of the past.
Medicines and surgical techniques perfected on animals have saved the lives of countless people who would have otherwise died from injuries, appendicitis, heart disease, cancer and other conditions.
But the challenges are not over. We have all heard of the AIDS epidemic, but it is only one of many human health problems which will only be solved through animal research. And there are many distressing animal diseases which need more veterinary research.
As animal lovers, it can be hard to accept that we are better off because of animal research.
This booklet explains why animals are essential for medical and veterinary research. It outlines the benefits, both to humans and to animals themselves. And most importantly it lists the safeguards which protect laboratory animals in New Zealand.