Bill to allow use of euthanized shelter animals for research draws backlash

A proposed amendment to Korea’s Animal Protection Act that would permit animal shelters to provide euthanized animals for veterinary research and education has ignited heated debate. While some veterinarians say the bill could ease the shortage of cadavers for training, animal rights lawyers and groups warn it risks encouraging abuse and undermining the dignity of abandoned animals. Rep. Lee Sung-yoon of the Democratic Party of Korea introduced the bill in June. It would add an exception to Article 46 of the law, which currently requires euthanized animals to be disposed of as waste or through cremation, that allows the use of such cadavers for veterinary study. The bill’s stated aims are to reduce the number of animals used in live experiments, give veterinary students more training opportunities and lower the cost of handling carcasses. The Korean Veterinary Medical Association expressed support, noting that veterinary schools often struggle to obtain cadavers for anatomy classes and that continuing education also requires practice specimens. Animal rights lawyers and advocacy groupWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times