Man, covance is still trying to set up in Arizona? You would think that they'd learn by now....

Posted by: Sarah | March 11, 2008 02:31 PM

"animals are pumped full of massive quantities of test drugs that still haven’t even been approved by the FDA"

um, hello- its a testing facility, FDA approval is granted to drugs AFTER the experimentation stage. I'm sure they do use already FDA approved drugs, but why be surprised that they would test new drugs.

Posted by: rojo | March 11, 2008 04:28 PM

Hey Rojo, The point of specifying that animals in Covance's labs are pumped full of drugs that haven't been approved by the FDA is to say that the drug residues that are then excreted by the animals and flushed into our wastewater stream are *unapproved* drugs. 92% of these drugs never get approval from the FDA, and for some of these drugs, it's because they're too toxic. Animals in testing laboratories are given anywhere from 10 to 500 times the dosage that would be prescribed to humans, and each candidate drug is tested on dozens to hundreds of animals (depending on the nature of the drug).

We are all complicit in the pharmaceutical contamination of water, but companies like Covance exacerbate the problem by flooding our waterways with brave new drugs.

The sin of all of this is that there are advanced, non-animal, human-cell-based technologies that can be used to test new drugs. These methods are cheaper, faster, and better than animal testing methodologies, but as long as the stodgy FDA drags its feet on updating its requirements for drug approval and companies like Covance remain wedded to outdated science and outdated ethics, we - as a society - will continue to poison animals to death in hellholes like Covance, and reap the consequences in the form of unsafe drugs and polluted water.

Posted by: Alka C. | March 11, 2008 05:33 PM

Interesting. Drugs that supposedly passed animal testing are now killing how many people?

It seems like every day animal-tested drugs are getting pulled from the market, and these drug companies get hit with lawsuits for the harm they've done.

When are they going to figure out that animal testing is ineffective and dangerous?

I guess as long as the backwards minds can collect a paycheck from their animal testing activities, they'll go on wasting time and money and endangering us all.

No wonder the cost of drugs is outrageous!

Posted by: kelly | March 11, 2008 10:46 PM

I feel sorry for the poor animals that suffer this SAVAGE pain, from us humans, who HAVE BRAINS, I would 'otherly LOVE to show the people who treat these animals like shit a little taste of there own bullshit. like how would you like it if some HUMAN came to kill your son/daughter, or even better, KILLEd YOU. these poor little creatures are helpless towards our strength. We may think we are smart, but surely WERE ALL DUMB.

"people who do this should go to hell!!!!"

Posted by: youdontneedtoknow | March 11, 2008 10:53 PM

rojo-
they arent surprised at the fact that the drugs being tested aren't approved by the FDA. Its the fact those drugs are being introduced into our water supply. And apparently, not by one or two animals, by massive amounts from animals. THAT is the surprising part.

Posted by: Julia | March 12, 2008 03:37 AM

Alka C: I agree with you that the FDA and those who test on animals are VERY slow to change that policy, especially in light of the fact that there ARE better methods available. You also mentioned that these better methods are cheaper. If that is true (and I do not know one way or the other), why do you think they are still clinging to the use of outdated animal testing?? Who is benefitting from that, since we know it is not the public?? (These questions are not meant to be sarcastic-- I am seriously asking because I cannot understand why they would not rush to support better methods, especially if they are cheaper, as well.)

Posted by: Antigone1000 | March 12, 2008 06:22 PM

youdontneedtoknow-
i ONE HUNDRED PERCENT agree with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
animal testing is SO wrong!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: caitlin | March 12, 2008 07:41 PM

Thanks Alka and Julia, point taken, but why does covance have it's own waste water capture tanks if they were just flushing effluent down the drain?

replacing and enlarging this one:
http://www.cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/planning/index.html

Posted by: rojo | March 12, 2008 07:51 PM

Antigone, you should check out the book "Sacred Cows and Golden Geese". It is probably one of the best books I have read regarding animal testing and how harmful it is to humans (never mind how awful it is for the innocent animal victims) and it really explains the issue of why animal testing continues (I had the same questions you did). I could not explain it very well here, because it is quite complex, but the pharmaceutical industry is a big part of it. The book is not written from an animal rights perspective but from sound scientific principles and research. Anyway, let me know if you get a chance to read it...

Posted by: Michele | March 13, 2008 03:49 PM

Michele: Thanks--I will certainly check it out. If the pharma industry is somehow making money off animal testing, that would explain a lot. They make money off most of the human population by convincing them that they needs drugs they do not need, so I know that they have no limits to what they will do to make money.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | March 13, 2008 03:54 PM

It'a an excellent point, Michelle. The same situation is making people suffer because the FDA refuses to investigate alternative drugs that people can get easily and afford.

SO many drugs could be used for sick cats and dogs (like glucosomine) and can then be approved for humans while pets benefit from the treatment.

Glucosomine is a terrible example because sharks are killed to make it. But cats and dogs get illnesses that people do, and these drugs can be "tested" on cats and dogs since they are ALREADY being used to treat them anyway!

Also, there are rainforest plants that hold promise for treating illnesses and we're deforesting those areas before we know their potential.

If people supported local cultures, local markets, said no to pharma companies and demanded to have more say in what goes on, the societal change would give us more power in what goes on in health care and how drugs are tested!

Posted by: Maya, CVT | March 13, 2008 04:10 PM

To add to Michele's post, the authors of "Sacred Cows and Golden Geese" also have a very comprehensive website—www.curedisease.com. "Sacred Cows" is certainly an excellent book.

Michele,

I've just started reading a library book called "Brain Trust", about BSE and CJD. So far, a very interesting book.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 14, 2008 02:05 PM

I hope the letter encourages the city to drop their support for Covance. We must stop the construction of new labs and work to shut down those already in existence.

Witness the reality of animal experimentation:
http://www.stopanimaltests.com/feat/testing123/

Animal Experimentation: Point Counterpoint
http://www.stopanimaltests.com/f-pointcounterpoint.asp

Posted by: Brandon Becker | March 14, 2008 04:25 PM

I have come across an excellent website which can give anyone ( even sceptics) the lowdown on animal testing, why it's results are of almost no benefit to humans and why the hell it still persists. This is a well written article, not written by animal activists, but by doctors and researchers, which makes for ojective opinions. Plus, at the end there is a list of over 200 research articles which were used as references. If you have a few moments to spare, go to
www.mrmcmed.org/ . Enter the site, and follow the link "A Critical Look at Animal Experimentation".
I printed a few copies of it and left them lying around at my work...

Posted by: Mia | March 14, 2008 06:20 PM

mia, are you joking - "not written by animal activists"

Christopher Anderegg, M.D., Ph.D. Primary Position:. President & Director, Association for the Abolition of Animal Experiments,

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D. president of Vegetarian Advocates, and founding member of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians

John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C Founder, North Texas Animal Rights Network

Posted by: rojo | March 15, 2008 08:10 AM

Rojo,

Whether or not there is an underlying animal rights agenda, the question is are you disputing any of their references or footnotes as being untrue?

Dr. Pippin, for example, taught medicine at Harvard Medical School and is the former Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cooper Clinic.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 17, 2008 01:35 PM

Mike, who are the authors of "Brain Trust"? I was trying to look for it at my local library but so far no luck...

Posted by: Michele | March 17, 2008 10:39 PM

Hi Michele,

"Brain Trust" is written by a biochemist named Colm Kelleher. He has a website with info and a very interesting podcast.

http://www.colmkelleher.com

It's a fascinating and chilling book, though not always animal-friendly (vivisection, etc). I'm about 3/4 through. I'm sure you would like it. I reserved it through the Toronto Public Library, if that's any help. If you're not in the GTA, maybe they can send it to your local branch—I'll be finished shortly :)

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 18, 2008 11:50 AM

Thanks Mike, I will try to request it through Inter-Library Loan...

Posted by: Michele | March 20, 2008 11:24 AM

Speaking of books, I have been showing the DVD Earthlings to acquaintances and friends to make them aware of the rampant abuse of animals in the different areas where they are used.

Posted by: Margarita | April 23, 2008 10:07 PM

TO ALL OF YOU PEOPLE

I am a student at hb high, and i need your help asap. My english class assignment was to prepare a debate. my panel and i are debating against animal rights activists. Please do not think me an idiot for asking this question on such an activist websight. I am open minded and need information. if you have any, i would greatly apprectiate it if you could contact me at hbstar_heather@live.com. I hope to hear from you soon so that you can help my panel and i create a well rounded argument. =)

Posted by: starscream fo life | April 29, 2008 03:49 PM