British Navy to Stop Goat Experiments

Last March, the British Navy stopped deep-sea diving experiments on goats that involve inducing decompression sickness.

The animals were used to see what the likely risk of "the bends" would be following escape from a submarine at varying depths under water.

The information would help crews judge whether it would be safer to abandon a stricken vessel or wait to be rescued...

However, the tests were suspended in March 2007 while a review committee of six experts examined alternative methods, such as computer-modelling techniques to simulate the effects of the "bends".

Now the {Ministry of Defense} says there is no further need for the animal testing.

Goats were used because their respiratory physiology is said to closely resemble that of humans.

Photo by Rendiru.