The Ohio State University continues in its efforts to separate the public's
views of animals it uses for research into the "lower" and "higher" animals,
the "higher" animals being primates, dogs, cats, and rabbits; the "lower"
animals being rats and mice.
OSU distributed a press release April 3, 2003, which stated , "The
university is constantly working to reduce the number of animals required to
conduct its research projects and uses alternative approaches to animal use
when and where they are feasible"
Not true. In 1989, OSU used 36,432 animals. In 2002, the number of animals
used has increased to 77,056. Since 1999, the numbers of rats and mice used
for research has more than doubled going from 31,014 in 1999 to 71,960 in
2002. Rats and mice are also more likely to fall into the category of "E"
experiments. "E" category experiments are those where the animal can
experience pain or distress that is NOT relieved. Because the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not recognize rats and mice as
animals, their numbers are not reported to USDA and a justification for such
animals in an "E" category does not have to be reviewed by USDA.
