I concurr with Laura.  Some animal research is necessary.  I do
think that a heck of a lot of what is being done isn't
necessary at all, though, and a lot of it is just bad
science.  Like GM's use of ferrets in crash tests.  Can
you think of an animal that's a worse model of human
response to trauma than a ferret?  They seem to like banging
into things.  And cosmetics testing is generally
a waste too.  But there is some good medical work being done,
including some with ferrets, as much as I hate to say.
 
E.S., Hershey and Nestle'
 
[Posted in FML issue 0663]