Vivisection: And an end to Animal Testing

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The UK government has pledged to crack down on puppy farming, yet since 2015 when they approved plans to build a farm in Yorkshire; Beagles have been drastically bred for sale to medical and cosmetic testing companies (despite the latter being banned in the EU). Why? because “they trust humans the most” How sick is that!! Vivisection is one of the most cruelest forms of animal abuse, and it’s breeding grounds are right on our shores. 

These dogs, cats, and domesticated animals in general have their brains cut open and poked at while still alive, or slowly have poison pumped through their bodies all in the name of “research”. Technology has advanced so far now that we can provide more relevant investigations into the human body without the need for animals, but do our governments care about this, the welfare of animals like they say, or even our own health? No. At the end of the day it’s all about just wanting to make a profit.

In 2009 the EU brought in a ban on the cosmetic testing of animals, which was completed in 2013 and succeeded in a massive change to the industry and a huge step up for consumers. Opinions starting to change, pet owners turned their backs on brands, and people started to see that poisoning animals had no effect on public safety. In fact more companies started to see the benefits of branding their products as ‘natural’ marked with the leaping bunny, consumers have become more aware of the ingredients used in their cosmetics now; such as knock off pallets including traces of rat faeces. It was just last year that governor Jerry Brown approved The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act beginning in 2020 albeit with major loopholes, and in February 2019 Australia finally ended testing as well.

Though there is serious change coming in terms of a global cosmetic ban which has been urged to be implemented by 2023, and with over 40 counties adopting a full ban or restricted testing on ingredients with more following behind. There is still a lot of work to be done to prevent any more unnecessary suffering, here in Europe as well as the US and China. With Britain leaving the EU at the end of this month what will happen to our animal welfare laws, and can we make sure that nobody abuses the changes that are coming. Though in some categories we have stricter laws that other EU countries don’t, we must not forget that 80% of the UKs animal welfare laws originate from the EU.

In 2010 the government promised to “work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research”, after an increase in almost 2 million from the early 2000s when numbers were showing a decrease.  Since the start of vivisection we have long believed that testing medicines on animals proves beneficial for human advancement however, The FDA reports that 92% of drugs approved for human tests do not gain approval for human use as they are either proven ineffective or pose a threat to life. No human uses medication designed for animals to treat their problems, so why do scientists continue to test medication for us on lives that have no direct correlation to the human body? As a civilisation we can’t continue to practice old methods that prove no results, we must move forwards in science looking into alternatives such as cell cultures and human tissue; and we must set new boundaries for us to reach.

Naan

Naan is one of my favourite types of bread, and I could honestly eat it with every curry! Since becoming vegan though that option has been taken off of every menu, so one night I decided to try it out for myself. This recipe is so easy to do you can even make some extra to pop in the freezer for a quick meal.

All you need to serve 6 is:

Naan:

• 1 tsp Activated Yeast
• 170 ml Warm Water
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 250g Plain Flour
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 40g Vegan Yoghurt
• 30ml Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil or Water
• 3/4 tsp Baking Powder

To Serve:

• 30g Vegan Butter
• 2 cloves Minced Garlic
• Coriander to sprinkle over

Step-By-Step

First in a bowl or jug whisk the activated yeast with the warm water and sugar, and leave to rest for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a large bowl and whisk to combine till blended together.

Once the yeast looks like it’s foaming add the yoghurt and oil and stir till combined. Then add the mixture to the dry ingredients (I usually do this a bit at a time), and use your hand to bring everything together. Alternatively, you can use a fork as the dough is pretty sticky.

Scoop the dough out onto a floured surface and add just enough flour that when you gently knead the dough it forms into a ball that doesn’t stick to the surface. Place the dough back into the bowl, coat it in just a little bit of oil and cover with a damp towel. Let stand in a warm place for 2-4 hours.

Turn bowl over onto a floured surface and remove dough. Kneed for less than a minute adding flour when needed. Afterwards cut the dough into 6 pieces and let stand for 10-15 minutes.

During this time you can start on the Garlic Butter coating. Mince the garlic and add this with the butter to a bowl and microwave for 15 seconds or until melted. Let stand so the garlic and butter can mix together.

Once the dough is ready flour your surface and start to shape each piece, you can use a rolling pin to do this but I prefer to use the traditional method. I hold my fingers together straight and press the dough out till it forms the right shape turning it with each motion.

Then heat a pan to a medium heat and add a light spritz of Coconut Oil (Or Water) to a pan and place one naan at a time in to fry. Wait to flip once air bubbles form inside and until each side is golden brown.

Right before serving I like to rub each one with the garlic butter and quickly fry it in the pan, to finish off garnish with the coriander.