We have new information on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) investigation of a lab doing animal tests here in Michigan.
Tuesday, the Dow Chemical company is responding to the story. The company said it is required to test pesticides and fungicides on dogs to make sure they aren't too toxic.
HSUS investigation at the Charles River Lab in Mattawan, MI--southwest of Kalamazoo-- found some dogs had their jaws surgically broken to test dental implants. Others had drug pumps inserted beneath their skin.
Currently, the focus is on 36 beagles being force-fed toxic chemicals sometimes up to four times a day for almost a year.
"We need to get out of this cycle of using dogs just because we have always used them," said Kathleen Conlee, Vice President Of Animal Research Issues at The Humane Society of the United States.
HSUS investigators went undercover at Charles River Lab for nearly 100 days in spring/summer 2018.
"I don't think everyone in there is an uncaring person. I've been there myself but hopefully someday they will see the light and join us in trying to end abuse of animals like this," said Conlee.
Companies pay the lab to carry out their product testing on animals. That includes Midland-based Dow Chemical. The company contracted the lab to use 36 beagles for a year-long test on the toxicity of a new fungicide. The program started in summer 2018 and will be completed in July 2019.
"These dogs were getting forced fed pesticides every day for a one-year long pesticide test that is widely considered unnecessary. These animals are still alive today but will be killed in July," said Conlee.
U.S. law only requires a 90-day test to get new pesticides approved. However, Dow said that Brazil requires a year of testing-- hence the long test underway in Michigan.
HSUS said that's not the only way dogs suffer at Charles River Lab.
Its undercover operatives said dogs had their chest cavities opened up tosee how that area tolerated having drugs pumped in. Others had invasive surgeries to test an ALS drug.
HSUS said the long-term results don't justify the cruelty.
"Over 90% of drugs that show promising results in animals, ultimately fail in humans. We want to see better tests that are relevant to humans," said Conlee
One Michigan woman I spoke with said she'd rather see those test done on animals than take a risk of dangerous side effects to humans.
"So they are not having to come back later and tell us that they are killing us. I've taken methotrexate and now there are class action lawsuits because of it," said Kim Avery, shared her opinion on animal testing.
Dow said its fungicide business has been working with the Humane Society to encourage Brazil to change its policy requiring a year-long toxicity test on new products.
Dow said it will end the tests as soon as the policy changes.
Their full statement:
Dow has a strong commitment to ensuring the safety of our products, and the care and well-being of animals. Specifically, Corteva Agriscience™, the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, which includes Dow's former fungicide business, has been working closely with the Humane Society of the U.S. for many months to encourage Brazil's Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) to amend its animal test requirements for pesticides. Once Corteva is given certainty that the study is no longer required, they will stop the study immediately.
Animal testing is not something Dow undertakes lightly, but neither is it something the Company can discontinue when it is required by regulatory authorities. Dow keeps its use of animal testing to an absolute minimum. Dow is committed to finding alternatives to animal testing and has established a Predictive Toxicology team dedicated to this goal. Dow scientists actively advocate for alternative methods by engaging global regulatory agencies and collaborates with governments, animal welfare organizations and researchers. All this is evidence of our commitment to the 3R's - reducing, refining and replacing the use of animals in toxicology testing.
The U.S. Food and Drug administration often requests companies provide numerous animal tests on products, and sometimes it includes dogs.
Read HSUS's full report:
The Humane Society of United States undercover dog-testing.
