BN Pharmacy Hosts Panel Discussion on World Laboratory Animal Day

Udaipur, : Dr. Yuvaraj Singh Sarangdevot, the founder of BN College of Pharmacy, stated that the annual event of World Laboratory Animal Day, which began in 1979, advocates for the cessation of animal testing in laboratories worldwide and promotes the adoption of more advanced non-animal scientific techniques. Dr. Jay Singh Vaghela, a pharmacologist, explained that World Laboratory Animal Day, celebrated globally on April 24 each year, functions as a movement to end the suffering of animals used for testing in laboratories worldwide and replace them with more advanced non-animal techniques. This observance recognizes the pain endured by millions of animals subjected to testing in laboratories worldwide and supports the mission of the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS). April 24 is chosen to honor the birthdays of former NAVS president Hugh Dowding and his wife Muriel, a member of the NAVS Council.

Currently, many animals are confined and experimented upon in laboratories, experiencing pain, loneliness, and fear. However, most experiments on animals fail to produce successful results in humans, resulting in unnecessary harm to animals. Organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Americans for Medical Advancement (AFMA) advocate against animal testing, promote humane alternatives, and highlight the discrepancies between animal and human responses, such as observed with drugs like aspirin and Vioxx. Examples of drugs causing adverse effects in animals but not in humans reiterate the need to reevaluate the limits of animal testing and endorse ethical and effective research methods.

Alternative research methods involving collaboration with human volunteers and sophisticated computational (simulation techniques) based on human cells and tissues are crucial for the progress of medical science. Modern non-animal research methods are available and have been repeatedly shown to be more accurate than unrefined animal experiments. However, this modern research requires a different perspective, one that is creative and compassionate and embraces the underlying principles of ethical science.

Dr. Anju Goyal highlighted that adopting non-violent approaches to scientific investigation and focusing on disease prevention could also promote human health and welfare through lifestyle modifications and environmental pollution reduction. The public is becoming increasingly aware of the cruelty and inadequacy of the current research system and is demanding that funds for animal experiments not be used for philanthropy or religious donations. On this occasion, Dr. Kamal Singh Rathore, Dr. Ranbir Singh, Dr. Harshita, Dr. Vanshika, Varsha Soni, Aparna Arora, and others also shared their views. An ethical committee has been established at BN, which ensures proper care for animals. Computer-based experiments are also being conducted.