Use of animals in medical experiments is up seventy three percent in the past fifteen years. CBS News states this the result of a study published in the Journal of Medical Ethics in which the manuscript found the number of animals increased from 1,566,994 in 1997 to 2,705,772 in 2012. The largest animal groups used in the medical tests were mice and nonhuman primates (i.e. monkeys) while cats and dogs usage dropped.

People for the Extortion, Torture and Abuse of human beings (PeTA) is probably not happy with this news since the group has not only lobbied for reduced usage of animals in medical experiments, they have also legally and financially supported Animal Liberation Front terrorists who vandalized medical laboratories. There has been a shift away from using animals in medical tests and Europe banned animals used in cosmetics tests.

Not surprisingly, in their reaction to the study, PeTA alleged that the animals used in the experiments were abused. What was interesting and of note in the CBS News article that reported the evaluation, researchers could be using mice more than other animals due to the lack of restrictions on using smaller are not mentioned in the Animal Welfare Act.

Interestingly enough, the National Institutes of Health dismissed the study stating the methods could not be used to quantify the amount of animals used in research. NIH also said it is based more on a snapshot and was inappropriate to use the data in the way the authors recommend. The rise in amount of animals used indicates an increase in research and not necessarily heightened use of animals in general.

Regardless of the manner or methods used for the study, the fact remains that medical testing on animals saves countless lives. Humans are nature’s favored species because of our ability to think and reason and that includes the development of sciences that help to sustain and enhance our lives. Using animals in experiments enables the development of medicines and therapies people can use to cure or treat diseases or illness. The fact that PeTA opposes such methods and backs ALF activists in vandalizing laboratories should tell you something. If animal testing is obliterated that will help drastically shorten the life span of human beings who benefit from animal experimentation now. Judging by their actions and some of their statements, that is what animal rights groups want.