Protesters at Marshall Bioresources in Wayne County are calling for the release of thousands of beagles.
The company is a major commercial breeder of dogs, cats and rodents for scientific research.
Animal advocates have picketed this facility for years, saying the facility houses tens of thousands of animals.
People protesting say they’re hoping the recent shutdown of a beagle breeding facility in Wisconsin brings more attention to their cause.
They say the time has come to end animal testing.
“There are a lot of alternatives out there that are picking up steam now that the FDA is working on approving alternative methods for research, and we just think it’s wonderful to see that movement on the federal level and we’re seeing people shift away from researching on animals,” said Adam Durand.
Marshall released a statement on Friday concerning the protests:
“We hear what the activists are saying. However, it is important to understand that animals play essential roles in protecting and saving lives worldwide.
To meet the highest safety standards for both people and animals, studies involving animals remain indispensable. Claims that animal research is no longer necessary often overlook important scientific and regulatory realities. While technological alternatives are gaining ground—progress we support—none can yet fully replicate complex biological systems found in people and animals, and current scientific and regulatory standards still require animal studies in many areas of medical and veterinary research.
While most regulatory agencies are advocates for non-animal method (NAM) development, very few accept NAM-only data for comprehensive safety reviews. NAMs and animal models will continue to complement each other for the foreseeable future in the interest of human and animal health. Abruptly eliminating carefully regulated animal research would slow medical progress, delay the development of future therapies, and impact advances that benefit both humans and animals alike.
Marshall BioResources does not conduct any pharmaceutical or medical device research, including discovery- or safety-related studies.
The recent developments at Ridglan Farms that resulted in the surrender of their breeding license and the sale of their dogs do not reflect the way we conduct our business. For more than 85 years, we have earned the trust of the medical and healthcare communities by upholding high standards across all aspects of our work, which has contributed to breakthroughs that change the face of public health, medicine, and veterinary care. For example, the approval and availability of pet medications to treat Parvo, distemper, heart worm and fleas; the development of insulin used by upwards of 200 million diabetics; invention of the defibrillator to restore human heartbeats; and 22 of the 25 most prescribed drugs in the United States, including those used to treat depression, asthma, high blood pressure, infections, and more.”