Experimental beagles kept out of daylight for eight years; animal welfare groups urge stronger oversight of animal drug experiments
Before drugs and cosmetics go on the market, animal testing is often required. The Taiwan Animal Society Research Association, which has long focused on animal issues, took in eight beagles that were about to be "discharged" from laboratory experiments at the end of last year, only to find that they had not seen daylight in eight years, every one of them had heart disease, and some would even sleep on their own excrement; the Animal Society Research Association held a press conference today, criticizing the Council of Agriculture for inadequate supervision, as an experimental institution is on average inspected only once every four years; the Council of Agriculture promised that this year it will increase the number of inspections, from 40 per year to more than 50.
Laboratory beagles kept from daylight for eight years, automatically extend a paw when injected
Animal Society calls on the Ministry of Health and Welfare to take part in the management of animal drug experiments
Although the competent authority for animal experiments is the Council of Agriculture, most drugs require animal testing. Chen Yumin said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare once told her that it would not intervene in animal experiments and would only ask manufacturers to provide relevant data. "Animal experiments are done carelessly, and then human trials proceed. Is such a drug safe?" She called on the Ministry of Health and Welfare not to stand aside, and to form an inspection team together with the Council of Agriculture.
Li Mingxin, deputy director of the Risk Management Division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that in recent years pharmaceutical factories have rarely used animal experiments, mostly using non-living methods, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare also reviews pharmaceutical factory laboratories once every three years.
As for whether the institution that experimented on these eight beagles was at fault, the Council of Agriculture said it still needs to understand the situation in more detail; but Chen Yumin said the name of the laboratory would not be made public, because the laboratory could have quietly euthanized the dogs, yet was willing to let them take over. The Animal Society does not wish to criticize a single institution; only if the government takes on the responsibility of gatekeeping can the system be changed.
These eight beagles are currently available for adoption. For detailed information, please visit the Animal Society Research Association website, please go to the association website http://www.east.org.tw/ or call: (02)2236-9735~6