The New Jersey-based company is opening a drug-testing laboratory and center in Chandler. PETA criticizes Covance and other drug companies for using animals for some testing procedures.
The animal rights group said Thursday that New Jersey-based Covance is breeding dogs for medical testing, and that it transfers and transports some of those dogs to medical testing labs in Japan.
PETA wrote to Japan Airlines asking the carrier not to transport dogs for Covance. PETA said it obtained shipping documents showing beagle puppies had been shipped from New York to Tokyo for the company via a 28-hour Japan Airlines flight.
Covance spokeswoman Camilla Strongin said animal testing is sometimes necessary for the development of new drugs that can help cure human ailments and diseases.
"Governments around the world, including Japan and the United States, recognize the importance and necessity of animal research in the advancement of life sciences and development of cure and treatments to benefit patients around the world," Strongin said.
Strongin said PETA's opposition to animal testing could hinder or end advancements and developments of new medicines for cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and diabetes.
PETA and other animal rights groups counter that animals being tested (including dogs and monkeys) are subjected to painful procedures, and drug companies should find alternative test methods.
Covance reported a $41.5 million profit on revenue of $381 million in the second quarter. |
