Other Avenues

In response to Quincy's post 'Where Do We Go From Here?' (3/20/2013):

Since many diseases and other problems which affect humanity today are not caused by bad nutrition, toxins, or unfortunate habits, but rather by variables outside human control (like naturally occurring bacteria and viruses), I do not think that we can avoid facing the issue of animal testing merely by improving our lifestyles.  However, it is certainly true that the average lifestyle of a modern-day American, or (although often to a lesser extent) a modern-day resident of somewhere other than the United States is far from ideal in terms of health.  That lifestyle has a heavy influence on susceptibility to disease and other problems is certain; statistics from many places around the world clearly illustrate the disadvantages of consuming toxins and lacking nutrition.

Thus, I think that a careful analysis of one's lifestyle can greatly improve one's chances of remaining relatively healthy.  If everyone did this, it might limit the amount of animal testing 'necessary' (or perhaps not) to a very small minimum.