ANIMAL RIGHTS-- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in England in 1824 to promote humane treatment of work animals, such as cattle and horses, and of household pets. Within a few decades similar organizations existed throughout Europe. An American society was founded in New York in 1866. Then after, these organizations were protesting the use of animals in laboratory experiments and the use of vivisection for teaching. Until the mid-1970s the focus on humane treatment of animals continued. After that period, animal rights activists enlarged their priorities, considerably.
             It is estimated that 70 million animals are used in research every year in the United States alone. The trained psychologist must reflect carefully on the limitations of making comparisons of animal and human behavior. Without analyses, animal studies may lead to faulty conclusions of animal and human behavior. A mental illness in a rat is different from that in a human. Just as researchers would rule out harmful experimentation on human subjects, they should stop experimentation that causes animal suffering.
             The American Psychological Association has established guidelines concerning the use of animals in psychological research. But for many animal protection activists, the APA guidelines are not enough. The misuse of research animals occurs despite organizational guidelines and protective legislation. Psychological researchers unnecessarily repeat many experiments on animals and that there is little evidence that any human benefits come from this work. Also, Psychologists and others involved in animal research make few efforts to find alternative means of gathering data.
             Why should we experiment on animals with products that are not important in medical research!? Pharmaceutical and other industrial labs will use animals to screen drugs, cosmetics, and other substances before selling them. Any new
             ...