We have the power to help end animal testing

I would like to endorse the recent sentiments expressed by Edward Twohig (Letters, Feb 23) regarding the suffering and untimely deaths of the hundreds of thousands of animals tested in laboratories in Ireland.

Indeed, if one was to look at the global figures, the numbers run into tens of millions every year.

Science will testify that animals are sentient creatures and, like us, humans feel pain, yet we show complete indifference to their suffering and continue to use and abuse them to suit our own selfish needs.

Access to information is, for most of us, at the press of a button.

Those of us who claim to have some moral conscience can make the choice as consumers not to support businesses that test on animals.

There are a number of well-informed websites that provide information on the companies that do and don’t use animal testing.

Consumer power can help make a difference to end the short-lived and painful existences of these creatures and surely it is beholden on each of us as human beings to speak on their behalf.

Denis O’Mahony

Castletroy

Limerick