Ramdai Bachoo, a veterinarian who has been practicing in San Francisco for the past 15 years, is an advocate for the rights of animals used in laboratory testing. Ramdai Bachoo believes that although there are laws in place protecting animals used in lab testing, these laws are not strong enough and do not provide enough protection for many animals, such as rodents. Because of this problem, Ramdai Bachoo has announced her stance as an advocate for stronger protections for lab animals.

When asked to comment on her stance, Ramdai Bachoo stated, “I strongly believe that all animals are deserving of certain protections. Many lab animals that are used in lab testing, especially rodents, are simply not properly protected by animal rights laws, because they are not as valued as more popular animals, such as cats and dogs. I believe that this discrimination is unfair and should be eliminated.”

In the U.S., lab animals are currently protected under the Animal Welfare Act as well as the provisions set in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which is published by the National Academy of Sciences. According to these regulations, those performing scientific tests in labs are allowed to conduct any procedure on an animal so long as it is justified by the pursuit of scientific advancement.

Generally speaking, researchers who use lab animals are supposed to consult with both the veterinarian at the institution and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which all facilities conducting research must have. However, Ramdai Bachoo believes that these current regulations are not enough for lab animals.

According to Ramdai Bachoo, the Animal Welfare Act should be much more extensive and should provide greater protections for all animals. In particular, Ramdai Bachoo cites the fact that protections are not equally provided for all types of animals, with animals such as rodents being left vulnerable to inhumane treatment. Ramdai Bachoo believes that all animals have the right to be treated humanely, which is why she advocates for the reform of these laws. In addition, Ramdai Bachoo encourages anyone who loves animals to join her in the fight against inhumane practices that harm lab animals.