Run for animals

World Day for Laboratory Animals, 24 April, is a UN-recognised date to highlight the fate of the millions of animals who suffer and die each year behind the walls of laboratories.

I was among the many campaigners for change around the world to take to the streets this week to raise funds for safer and more humane alternatives to animal research.

Animal models are crude and unpredictable.

Tying off the arteries of dogs and injecting toxins into monkeys’ brains in an attempt to replicate what are often lifestyle-related human diseases is not only scientifically flawed but morally unacceptable in the 21st century.

Progressive, animal-free methods exist and are improving all the time, and the charities that promote them surely deserve our support.

The season of fun runs and mega-events in aid of the big animal-testing high street charities will soon be upon us.

This year, if you don’t want your money to go towards animal research, why not sponsor or fundraise for one of the many others which don’t have millions to spend on marketing, but are working hard to further medical progress without animals?

Free lists of medical charities and their vivisection policies are available from organisations such as Animal Aid or the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), or via their websites.

Sharon L Howe

Fortescue Road,

Sidmouth.