Brit Scientist Reinforces Need for Drug Tests on Animals

Adopting an unusual stance, a British scientist has said that medicines tested on animals should be labelled safe for humans.

Robert Winston, who is a Fertility expert and TV presenter, wants to revolutionise the public's attitude to animal testing and tackle the animal rights lobby head-on.

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"Let us face it, 95 per cent of us perfectly happily wear leather shoes," the Daily Express quoted Winston as saying.

"We should put the animal rights lobby into some kind of focus."

"Animal research has contributed hugely to physiological medical research in virtually every field."

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"We need to say very clearly it would be unthinkable to take any drug which has not been tested on an intact animal."

"In fact, there is a case for having legislation to make it clear that a particular drug has only been possible for human consumption because of animal testing."

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"This could be stamped on the packet, rather like a cigarette packet."

"I do not think we can argue there is any substitute for animal research," he added.

The 71-year-old scientist also accused Britain's universities of cowardice for their failure to admit their heavy involvement in animal experiments.

He said every university had an animal testing laboratory but their silence made them appear as though they had "something to be ashamed of".

Source-ANI