From the moment animal experimentation became public knowledge, people have shown a great deal of compassion and concern for the welfare of the animals.

An estimated 2.5 million live animal experiments were authorised in Great Britain in the year 2000 alone. Legislation passed in 1822 has significantly limited the procedures and freedom scientists have with laboratory animals. The process is now even stricter - preventing a free-for-all rule overuse of animals. It is clear however, that no amount of policy will prevent the animals from being boarded, experimented on and killed for the sake of science.

Almost every medical treatment you have used in the past or currently use has been tested on animals. In England, law requires that any new drug be tested on at least two mammals - a large non-rodent mammal is mandatory by regulations policy. Current EU regulations state that researchers must consider the pain that an animal may feel during an experiment. Now, applicants are required to choose one of the three alternatives provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) when proceeding with an experiment on an animal in a laboratory.

The first of the three tests, Guideline 420, was developed in the UK. It requires no more than four animals. To prevent the demise of the animal, the toxicologists evaluate the situation to ensure a lethal dose was not administered.

The second of three, Guideline 423, was created in Germany. A single animal receives a dose that increases in strength. This may or may not lead to the animal's death. Once one animal has successfully survived the regimen, two more animals are brought in and tested to confirm the original results. However, within the German version of this test, it has been noted that two other animals are brought in whether there was survival or death.

Finally, the third test, Guideline 425, was developed by the United States. This method involves raising and lower the doses to the animal to judge it's reaction. Nine animals are required for this test, and roughly half die before the experiment is complete

According to OECD, test 420, 423 and 425, will be phased in slowly over the next few months. This will allow the laboratories to adjust to new guidelines.

Whether it is for cancer or shampoo, animals are used in laboratories and exploited world-wide. Animals have suffered and will continue to suffer for hiv/aids, heart disease, cholesterol, Alzheimer's, spinal cord and head injury, breast cancer, xenotransplants and drugs experiments.

Although the new guidelines set by the OECD show some compassion for the animals, they do not prevent the abuse and death of the animal. While may see this as a minor victory, it is not by far what animal activists had hoped for.

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