The original answer says that in the United States the Animal Welfare Act regulates the use of laboratory animals, although it is often not enforced. It also describes a loophole: according to the answer, the US federal government does not classify mice, rats or birds as animals.
As a result, the original answer states that the Animal Welfare Act does not apply to mice, rats or birds, and that there are no federal restrictions on what may be done to these animals in research laboratories.
It should be noted that the Animal Welfare Act also does not apply to farmed animals raised for food.
Continue with these questions:
- What are the alternatives to animal testing?
- Do animal-rights supporters avoid life-saving medicines developed through animal testing?
- What if a cure for cancer could be produced through an experiment on just one animal?
- Is it insulting to compare humans with animals?
- Are animals also killed during crop harvesting and road construction?
- How is animal testing different from other situations where people kill animals to survive?
More answers: Vegan Ethics FAQ.