Q. Why can’t animals be used for biomedical research?
Chinny Krishna: The CPCSEA’s stand is unambiguous. Experiments on animals are fine as long as the rules are followed. The rules are on the same lines as those in many countries, but less stringent than in the UK. But they are flouted because of utter callousness. Water and feed not being given on time or adequately; overcrowding; sick animals being left unattended; painful, invasive procedures being practised by untrained personnel. The list is endless.
Sandip Basu: Contrary to the activists’ ill-informed claims, use of animals for biomedical research is unavoidable and essential to protect the human right to good health. Guidelines formulated on a scientific basis, implemented fairly, can ensure that animals are maintained in good health and not subjected to unnecessary pain.
Q. Is cruelty the issue or the use of animals?
Krishna: Cruelty, pure and simple. Where the three Rs—reduction, refinement and replacement—can be practised, this must be done. In 1996, CPCSEA said: "Vested interests make it necessary for these experiments to continue even when what they show may…be useless."
Basu: Cruelty, but the lack of professionalism displayed by the current implementing body reinforces the notion that the primary intent is to halt all animal experimentation.
Are animal rights so important?
Krishna: debate is about animal welfare, not animal rights.... CPCSEA comprises scientists of renown. They realise that good animal care makes for good research. CPCSEA denounced the state of animal research not now but in 1963. The Blue Cross of India held a seminar on it in 1965.
Basu: The demand that animals be accorded the same dignity as humans is neither justifiable, practical nor ethically correct. Animal rights activists have hijacked the humane goal of animal welfare in pursuit of a cover, non-democratic ‘anti-vivisectionist’ agenda.
Q. Will a ban on animal tests benefit the MNCs?
Krishna: The biggest beneficiary of the campaign for better testing conditions will be those who implement good laboratory practices—an essential requirement worldwide. Come 2005, when drug patent laws become applicable in India, those without GLP will be wiped out. MNCs will benefit by ensuring that the present state of affairs continues.
Basu: Prejudiced and inefficient enforcement has made animal-based research nearly impossible to pursue in India. It has compelled our biotech and pharma industries to conduct animal-based trials abroad with inevitable cost escalation. This jeopardises our industries and must be causing much merriment to our MNC competitors.
