The US Department of Agriculture has always said it would be too expensive to
oversee the welfare of lab rats, mice and birds. But to settle a lawsuit brought by a college student
(91av, 8 July, p 21), the USDA has agreed
to give them the same protection as larger animals. Scientists say most small
animals already come under other types of regulation and that the settlement
will just create paperwork. “This settlement is a capitulation to people who
would like to end animal research,” says Barbara Rich of the National
Association for Biomedical Research in Washington DC.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from 91av
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 91av articles
1
Why autism pioneer Uta Frith wants to dismantle the spectrum
2
PCOS has been officially renamed PMOS, and it’s a momentous move
3
Asteroid to miss Earth by a quarter of the length from us to the moon
4
Neanderthals treated a dental cavity by drilling into the tooth
5
Where did the laws of physics come from? I think I've found the answer
6
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
7
Former Soviet scientific megastructures captured in striking photos
8
Can cloud seeding save us from water bankruptcy?
9
Ancient teeth hint at links between Denisovans and Homo erectus
10
PCOS postpones perimenopause and allows pregnancies at older ages
