Animal Rights Law's in the United StatesIn the United States it is legal for companies to test their products on animals. However, when these companies test on animals, they are required to do so in the most humane way possible. There are not many laws that strictly protect animals in regards to testing. The government is concerned more with the overall safety of the consumers.
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FDAThe FDA is the department that makes the laws regarding animal rights and consumer protection. The FDA states on their website that they are open to the advancement of alternate ways to test products, other than on animals. They also state that they tell producers to "employ whatever testing is appropriate and effective for substantiating the safety of their products." This means that they are okay with testing on animals as long as it keeps humans (the consumer) safe.
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The Animal Welfare Act
This act is the only federal law in the United States that addresses animal research. It sets guidelines for research and testing on animals. However it excludes about 95% of animals according to Neavs, http://www.neavs.org/research/laws
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This act leaves room for many loopholes when it comes to protecting animals. It allows for the researchers to not administer a sedative to the animals if the researcher deems it "scientifically necessary"
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If companies want government funding for any of their tests in regard to animals, they are required to comply with the guidelines that are set out. This could include visits to the labs by inspectors.
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Animals that are excluded from protection under this act are fish, reptiles, amphibians, mice, rats, birds, cows, and pigs. Other animals are protected by guidelines that let the companies test on them as long as they provide a minimum care standard.
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