Animal rights and research: common sense must prevail

The advances that radiologic science has experienced in recent history have been earned through many means, one of them being animal research. Since the 1980s, animal research has come increasingly into the public eye, through the efforts of animal welfare and animal rights activist groups. These groups, by their varied means, have exacted changes in how animals are used experimentally and how the public perceives such use. In some cases, their lobbying efforts have resulted in laws that raise the cost of research and provide little improvement in animal welfare. Because of the financial and political power of these groups and the increasing public awareness of such issues, it is extremely important that the medical and scientific communities become more involved in educating the public on the importance of animal research and clarifying the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Equally important, the medical community must continue to adhere to high standards in research that involves animals.