World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week falls during the week that surrounds April 24 each year. This year, it will be observed from April 22 to 28. Laboratory animals are typically subjected to a variety of treatments by scientists, resulting in millions of animals suffering and dying each year. Although improved procedures are being introduced into laboratories to replace animal testing, some antiquated laws still require animal testing before a product may be introduced to the market. This week raises awareness about the brutality that animals face in laboratories and persuades the government to fund advanced experimental procedures that are more relevant to humans and safer for animals.
History of World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week
The Institute of World Day for Laboratory Animals was founded in 1979, while the associated Animal Laboratory Week was founded on April 20, 2020. They had both been the driving force behind the movement to end the cruelty of animals In laboratories. They seek to replace the use of animals with scientific treatments that are suitable for the purpose and will discourage the use of animals.
Commercial facilities, universities, pharmaceutical businesses, and medical schools are the most common places where animals are used in research. Living animals were used for experiments by Erasistratus and Aristotle, among the first. Galen, a Roman physician in the second century, dissected pigs and goats after death. Avenzoar, an Arabic physician in Moorish Spain in the 12th century, devised an experimental strategy for testing surgical operations on animals before trying them on humans. Animals have been used in biomedical research from the beginning of recorded history. The Dublin Zoo was founded in 1831 by doctors who were interested in researching both living and dead animals. In the 1880s, Louis Pasteur used anthrax to show the germ theory of medicine. Pasteur demonstrated the germ theory of medicine in the 1880s by introducing anthrax into sheep. For many diseases, the germ theory is the currently accepted scientific theory as it asserts that germs or pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease.
Toxicology testing became popular in the 20th century. Drug regulations were relatively relaxed in the 19th century. In the United States, for example, the government could ban a drug only after it has prosecuted a company for selling the same drugs that harmed its users. However, in reaction to the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide catastrophe, in which the eponymous medicine killed over 100 people, the United States Congress created regulations requiring drug safety testing on animals first before they could be commercialized.
World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week timeline
Koch infects guinea pigs and mice with anthrax.
The Germans infect mules in Argentina, which results in the death of 200 mules.
Insulin is isolated from dogs, which brings about the treatment of diabetes.
Antibiotic treatment for leprosy develops using armadillos.
World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week FAQs
How are animals treated in laboratories?
Experimenters or scientists perform surgeries on them repeatedly; they are frequently force-fed and have wires placed in their brains; and after all of this, they are given no painkillers and thrown into a cage.
What happens to lab animals after testing?
Most of them are euthanized while a few of them are adopted out.
Can animals feel pain during animal testing?
Animals do experience pain during testing.
How to Observe World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week
Sign a petition
Petitions are going around to stop the use of animals for experiments in laboratories. You can observe this holiday by signing one. By doing that you have contributed to the movement.
Stop experimenting on animals
If you are a scientist that has previously been experimenting on animals and hurting them in the process, you can observe this holiday by putting an end to that practice. Other advanced methods are being introduced to laboratories to use instead of animals.
Create awareness
You can lend your voice to this movement by spreading the word. Educate people on the harm that animals in the laboratories are exposed to and why we need to stop the practice.
5 Interesting Facts About Animals
Cats have no collarbone
Cats are very flexible because they have no collarbones.
Dogs have unique nose prints
No two dogs have similar nose prints.
Only one mammal can fly
The only mammal that can fly is a bat.
Not all mosquitoes bite
Female mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes that bite.
Pigs don’t sweat
Pigs don’t have many sweat glands.
Why World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week is Important
We love animals
We care about animals, and it bothers us that they are being utilized in laboratories for a variety of research that may cause them harm. This day contributes to raising awareness of how significant this is.
It is an opportunity to stand for justice
Animals are used for experiments because they cannot talk, it is believed that they have no rights and they have limited ability to defend themselves against any injustice done to them. This holiday is an opportunity for us to stand against the injustice being done to animals.
It encourages the use of new technology
By putting a stop to the use of animals in the laboratories, we are encouraging the use of an alternative which is an advanced technology to replace the use of animals.
World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 18 | Monday |
| 2023 | April 24 | Monday |
| 2024 | April 22 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 21 | Monday |
| 2026 | April 20 | Monday |
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