This refers to the article titled “Barking dogs” by Umair Gul (GK Jan 23). The author has criticized the use of dogs for experimental studies, in a leading veterinary college of Kashmir. He says that dogs are being caged and are constantly barking as a protest for freedom and that numerous surgeries are performed on them. I think it is the imaginary thought of the author. Being a student of the college under question, I believe the use of dogs for experimenting is not a unique phenomenon. Other animals are also being used in various fields of study. Being a student of pharmacy, the author should be quite aware of the use of lab animals like rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits for experimental studies to test the potency, efficacy, toxicity and other parameters of a drug. Isn’t that cruelty then? Further, viruses are cultivated in embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) to study the pathological changes produced in the embryo and arrive at the identification of the virus. Isn’t it cruelty? Laboratory animals are used for diagnosis of diseases. It may seem cruel but looking at the greater good of the society, the negative aspects have to be overlooked. We are not using dogs for some personal pleasure. We also have hearts. But it is the need of the hour. If he has any alternative in mind he should come forward with that. Otherwise he should be cool and understand that dogs are being operated upon under prescribed standards.

Manzoor Ahmad Mir
Student
FVSc & A.H., SKUAST-K

Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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