From my perspective animal experiments are not ethical, in the same way that experimentation on humans without fully informed consent is not ethical.

There are arguments that animal experimentation is misleading and can not give useful results for extrapolation to humans. I don't care for this rationale because it suggests the ends justify the means. It is not possible to prove that there has been no animal experiment since time began that has not resulted in some kind of benefit to humans. But just as a civilised society chooses not to condone testing on prisoners, people with mental or physical handicaps or babies, I believe a civilised society should not test on animals. We should be able to recognise these fellow occupants of the earth as sentient beings and therefore it follows we should not harm them even if it would benefit us.

Luckily there are many thoughtful and ethical scientists who recognise the contradictions of vivisection and animal experimentation. They choose to progress science and knowledge without causing harm to any living beings. The Dr Hadwen Trust does a terrific job supporting some of this research. See the links section for contact details.

Please support non animal based research and do not be mislead in to inadvertently supporting the cruelty of animal experimentation.

Animal Aid has a list of animal free research organisations who need your backing and can help you avoid giving your dosh to misguided animal based researchers (and the charity shops that support them). Contact details in the links section.

If you are at school or college and your curriculum involves animal experimentation you have the right to choose an alternative to that part of the syllabus. You will be given all the backing you need by the Vegan Society, Animal Aid and Viva and us- all contacts are in the links section. Please get in touch if you need help with this- I've been through this myself and know how it helps to be reminded that actually you are the sane one.

Be aware that its not just medicine that gets tested on animals, but cosmetics and household products too. See the articles on these subjects on this site for where to find ethical cruelty free substitutes. Remember that the Vegan Society Sunflower trademark guarantees not only no animal or animal derived ingredients but also no animal testing.