Experimentation Lexicon

Buncher

This is a person who gathers dogs from any place they are available and sells them to laboratories for research or to other bunchers and various other types of distributors. Some of the dogs are collected from articles found in newspapers such as those reading “free to a good home” other dogs are victims of companion animal theft. [16]

Draize Test

This is a test where 100 milligrams of a given substance is placed in the eye of rabbits to attempt to determine an effect in humans. The deterioration of the eye is then recorded for an average of 72 hours (some studies last over two weeks). Though companies are not required to perform these tests many view it as a way to minimize liability because even if a product causes eye damage there are tests results to fall back on incase of a lawsuit. [49] Rabbits are chosen as test subjects because of their relative inability to cleanse their eyes of foreign substances. They are often restrained with eyes held open to further the ease of the experiments.

LD₅₀

The LD₅₀ test, in theory, is meant to determine how toxic certain chemicals can be towards humans. Animals are administered chemicals through various means until half of them die from exposure. LD₅₀ means Lethal Dose that kills half (50%) of the animals on whom it is tested. [50]

Vivisection

Just as dissection is to cut or operate on a deceased animal, vivisection is to cut or operate on a living animal. Vivisection is often used as an umbrella term to include all types of experimentation on animals. It is interesting to note that the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines vivisection broadly as “animal experimentation,” “especially if considered to cause distress to the subject.” [51]

Xenoplantation

This is the transplantation of a organ from one animal species to that of a another species.

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Posted/Updated: 12/01/03