The suffering of the animals must be taken into account - not only the value of the research and the testing. We are talking about the three R's. The first technique refers to alternatives which replace animal models. The most widely used nonliving model involves the use of modern chemical techniques to identify substances and to determine their concentration or potency. Another is the use of computer simulation as a means of virtually replacing the use of living animals.
Refinement refers to techniques which reduce the pain and distress to which an animal is subjected.
We are all aware of a lot of environmental problems threatening our future on this planet. Farming is also an important part of that future. All animal farming has to follow ecological and natural principles that can guarantee a sustainable and ethically defensible production. Raising animals on factory farms has been called in question. Many do not get a breath of fresh air until they are prodded and crammed onto trucks for a nightmarish ride to the slaughterhouse, often through weather extremes and always without food or water.