I just could not take it when I read this particular letter sent by ‘Dog Lab Test’ and later published by MalaysiaKini on their news website yesterday. The situation highlighted by the sender really bothers me a lot. :-(
Let me quote his letter in full here today. The letter said, quote:
“My children are studying at the faculty of veterinary medicine in University Putra Malaysia (UPM) located in Serdang, Selangor. The faculty has been using young and healthy dogs for all kind of experimental and lab tests. Most of the dogs used are less than one-year old. (Some are pedigrees - perhaps they’re lost dogs but healthy in order to fulfill their requirements.)
Each year, the post-graduate students are given an assignment topic of which these dogs would be used as experimental objects. It is learnt that they obtain the dogs from the local municipal council.
These students are divided into groups and each group is given a young and healthy dog for experimental purposes. The dogs are injected with cancer cells. The cancer cells are left to multiply in their body. Several forms of treatments are randomly tested upon these animals. In hopes of maintaining the integrity of this experiment, the dogs are made to starve, leaving them dehydrated and highly traumatised.
These dogs are subjected to constant pain as the cancer progresses. Such act is just an act of cruelty against innocent animals. How much they hope they could have kill themselves. The cancer makes the dogs suffer extraordinary pain, and they cried until they are voiceless.
I have come to know that UPM organises an annual Dogathon event in aid of stray dogs by raising funds. It serve as a platform in addressing the issue of stray dog awareness. But on the other hand, young and healthy dogs are used to do inhumane experiment.”
Pardon me for being an ignorant Malaysian, folks. I never did know that they were using dogs for lab testing. This is the first case I heard that took place here in Malaysia so far. All the while I thought that such lab tests would be conducted with lab rats instead.
It doesn’t matter really. Either we are using rats or dogs for experiments; we have to ask ourselves whether it is really necessary for us to conduct such inhumane experiments on animals in the first place. Please allow me to look at this issue from a Muslim’s perspective. I’m a Muslim anyway, so I’m bound to look at things from the perspective of my faith and religion. :-)
Based upon a Fatwa issued by IslamWeb Dot Net on the 27th of May 2004, it is permissible to use animals on experiments if it would eventually lead to mankind’s benefit. However, there is a big BUT in this particular situation. Let us see what the Fatwa has said about this, quote:
“Using animals for medical test is permissible if there is some benefit to human beings. But it should be limited to the extent of necessity and should be carried out in a manner that causes the least pain.”
I strongly suggest that our local animal rights groups to follow up on this issue brought up by ‘Dog Lab Test’ as soon as possible. Find out whether the experiments carried out by UPM were really necessary and beneficial for us. If those experiments were pointless, then indeed they have committed unnecessary torture for those dogs. :-(
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A man suffered from intense thirst while on a journey, then he found a well. He climbed down into it and drank (water) and when he came out he saw a dog lolling its tongue and eating the moistened earth out of thirst. The man said: This dog has suffered from thirst as I had. So he climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, then caught it in his mouth until he climbed up and let the dog drink it. Allah appreciated this act of his and pardoned him. Then (the Companions around him) said: Allah's Messenger, is there for us a reward even for (serving) such animals? He said: Yes, there is a reward for service to every living animal.
Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 4162
| |
Related Post:
Tired of Malaysian politics?
Come and visit Walt Disney World Resort anytime soon and have the fun of your life!
Technorati Tags:
2 comments:
Dear Brother,
just a question for Muslims. Would they use a cat for such experiments?
Salam & Greetings Umar Rentaka...
Are you a Muslim? Your name sounds like one. :-)
As for your question, it doesn't really matter whether they were using cats, rats or dogs for their lab experiments. The Fatwa clearly says that we cannot simply engage in using animals for experiments. If those experiments were pointless, we must do something to help prevent continuous torture towards those poor animals.
Post a Comment