杏吧原创

Animal rights activists have petitioned the US Department of Agriculture to
reconsider its position that rats, mice and birds don鈥檛 fall under the Animal
Welfare Act, which protects larger lab animals. Researchers who receive federal
funds have to comply with other protection regulations. But privately funded
companies can use these creatures without restriction. Officials say they
wouldn鈥檛 have the money for inspections to enforce new rules. But last week,
activists promised to help raise the funds from Congress. 鈥淚t looks like there
really will be some action,鈥� says petitioner Barbara Orlans of Georgetown
University in Washington DC.