An animal testing lab in China has been exposed for using pigs as car crash test dummies in experiments which have left animals dead or with horrific injuries.
Images have emerged of pigs visibly terrified as they are strapped to sleds and fired into a wall at 30mph.
An investigation has revealed that seven young pigs were killed in the experiments, while another eight were injured.
They were left with bleeding cuts, broken bones and painful internal bruising, and researchers found the animals’ lungs, spleens and livers were damaged by the crashes.
Research
The research was published in the International Journal of Crashworthiness, and aimed to test seat belt modifications to analyse their effectiveness.
The scientists at the testing lab used pigs as they say the animals have a similar anatomical makeup to a human child – helping them see what might happen to humans in a car crash.
The young pigs were also reportedly starved for 24 hours and not given any water for six hours in the buildup to the brutal study.
Animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed the animals had electrodes inserted into their abdomens.
“The injuries sustained by the tested subjects resulted in seven deaths. The common injury types included abrasion, contusion, laceration, bleeding and fracture,” the group explained.
‘Mangled’
The group said animals were left “bloody, bruised, and mangled”.
Instead of the lethal animal tests, activists argue the scientists should use readily available technology such as computer modelling, 3D medical imaging and mannequins.
“Other researchers have also used human cadavers and virtual reality (digital crash dummies) for the same purpose. In the 21st century, every car company on the planet should already have adopted these methods,” PETA added.
“No regulations exist there that would require such horrific experiments to be performed.”
The scientists from the Institute for Traffic Medicine at the Third Military Medical University have argued the tests follow US guidelines for lab animals, and claimed the test had been approved by an ethics committee.
They argued tests could prevent abdominal injuries in humans in the future.
Do you think these kinds of experiments should be banned? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
22-year-old kinesiology student says vegan diet and exercise helped her shed 50lb
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 16th April 2021
“I enjoy the vegan lifestyle because I have a lot of energy from eating tons of carbs, and I have less stomach issues as well.” A kinesiology student says going vegan has helped her lose weight, transformed her life, and inspired her to become a ‘personal trainer’. Sharing her weight loss journey, 22-year-old Hope Peterson …
Plant-powered mum calls for vegan options in schools across the UK
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 13th April 2021
“More than one in a hundred people in the UK are now vegan, and the proportion is growing every year. It’s time our schools catch up and make sure all their pupils feel safe, welcome, and valued.” A vegan pupil’s mother has been campaigning to add vegan options to school menus across the UK. According …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …