In Vivo

In vivo (Latin for “within the living”) is experimentation using a whole, living organism- as opposed to a partial or dead organism. Animal testing and clinical trials are two forms of in vivo research. It includes “pure” research such as genetics, developmental biology, behavioral studies, as well as applied research such as biomedical research, xenotransplantation, drug testing and toxicology tests, including cosmetics testing. On average around 300,000 animals per year are used in experimentation, testing and teaching in New Zealand – from cats and dogs to rabbits, deer, mice, rats, fish, birds, pigs, cows and guinea pigs. Animals will undergo procedures that cause extreme pain – both mental and physical. Tests may involve conducting major surgeries without the use of anaesthesia, experiments causing them to die from poisoning, severe restrictions on water or food intake, purposeful exposure of conscious animals to lethal extremes of cold, cutting of motor nerves and studies of the effects of chemicals which cause a protracted death with marked distress. This particular former testing facility has been irresponsibly left to the ravages of time and vandalism- a haunting reminder of what we commit in the name of science.