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Permalink Reply by Rowan Pendragon on December 11, 2007 at 10:53am

Hi Vertigo!

I think you bring up a really interesting point to think about; donating money to medical causes is hard because many affiliates with these various things still do animal testing. Sadly in many cases the FDA requires animal testing for treatments to be approved. There was an interesting but short article that I found here about PETA disapproving of a breast cancer medication because of the animal testing that was used.

I myself am torn on the idea. While I think that supporting awareness and research for things like AIDS, cancer and so forth are really important I also think that it's time that the medical industry look at more progress, animal friendly research methods. That's why I would probably be more likely to donate money to something like IDA (In Defense of Animals) that work to try and get the medical industry to look at other testing options. But again, I'm torn. I don't think that NOT supporting a cause like breast cancer research because of animal testing is really the best route to go, but at the same time there's a need for changes in testing.

You might want to try searching on the Humane Charity site for animal friendly charities that you can donate to and support.

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Permalink Reply by Vertigo on December 12, 2007 at 2:53pm

Thanks Rowan. I will check out the site you suggested as well as IDA. Its comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has struggled with this question. There are so many people around me who are complacent sometimes even asking a question feels like drowning. I read the article you linked. I think I'm going to send an email to the local hospital here asking what their stance is on looking at other testing options. It can't hurt. I'll let you know if they respond.

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