Behind every medicine that cures diseases in humans is the untold suffering and sacrifice of animals. Therefore, city scientists have decided to celebrate “World Laboratory Animal Day” on Tuesday to commemorate the sacrifices made by these noble creatures, popularly called “lab animals,” in improving the environment, quality of life and furthering science. The National Centre for Laboratory Animal Scien-ces located at National Institute of Nutrition campus here will hold a national symposium on “Laboratory animal sciences in the new millennium — challenges and solutions” to mark the occasion.
Ironically, the NCLAS is one of the largest animal suppliers in the country. It supplies about 50,000 animals to around 175 laboratories and institutions in India. This year’s World Laboratory Animal Day is celebrated in the wake of the Central government banning use of animals in experiments in educational institutions. “Countless monkeys, dogs, rats and other animals are burned, blinded, cut open, poisoned, starved and drugged behind closed laboratory doors. Not only are animal tests extremely cruel, they are also pretty inaccurate because of the vast physiological variations between species,” says a statement by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).