Leslie Pardue

About the author: Leslie Pardue is a writer who has published articles in E Magazine, an environmental journal.

Although some environmental scientists rely on data gathered from animal testing, many of these researchers agree with animal welfare advocates who suggest that such tests can be replaced with nonanimal alternatives. Alternative models are often cheaper and more accurate than animal testing. Unfortunately, seeking alternatives has not been prioritized in research fields because animal testing is routine and scientists are not often asked to reexamine their research methods.

To an outsider, environmentalists and animal rights advocates would appear natural allies. But one basic philosophical difference divides the two schools of thought: to the extent that environmental organizations work on animal issues, they tend to emphasize the health and viability of animal species, populations and...