SEVERAL million rabbits, mice and rats are destined to die in the name of science over the next 10 years. To some people, this is an unforgivable slaughter. To others, animal testing is the only adequate way to test new treatments for diseases and ensure that drugs and other new chemicals are safe.
But in the past few weeks, governments have been quietly signing deals that could dramatically affect this highly emotional and polarised debate. There are signs that those in power are finally paving the way for a global movement that could one day consign experiments on live animals…
