A conundrum

Sometimes people wonder how I can be a vegetarian and work in the pharmaceutical industry. After all, pharmaceutical companies do testing on animals. Well, first of all, let me tell you - if the government didn't require animal testing in order to bring products to market, there'd be a lot less of it. But actually, I support animal testing of pharmaceutical products. The reason? - I'm a part of nature and, as such, I am willing to do what I need to in order to protect myself, my family, and my belongings.


Now, as a (relatively) rational part of nature, I recognize that I do not need to always destroy any bit of nature I encounter. The caterpillar munching a few leaves on a plant need not be destroyed. And the rabbits in my yard can be kept away from fragile plants with non-lethal means. But if a bear attacks me in the woods, I will fight back - and with lethal force, if I can muster it. Similarly, if I'm trapped for weeks in a log cabin provisioned only with Spam, I will eat it.


I see animal testing of products in the same light. Before I take a drug, I want its safety thoroughly tested. And before it can be tested on people, testing it on animals seems entirely appropriate. I'm certainly willing to let beagles (monkeys, rats, mice, etc.) bear the brunt of an unexpectedly toxic drug, rather than have humans bear it.


So, call me a pragmatic vegetarian (or, hell, call me a hypocrite if you must). I'm not going to make the critters of the world die so that I can get still fatter or have more fashionable clothing. But I'm also not going to let myself (or my loved ones) suffer or die when the death or discomfort of an animal could prevent it.

Attack of the Pharma Babes

TIME magazine had an amusing column this month on Pharma Babes. At least it was amusing to me, since I know more than my fair share of them. The article describes them as "young lovelies in high heels" "prettier — or at least better coiffed than anybody taking actual care of the sick". Yeah, that's spot on for a few of the ones I know - former co-workers, or sorority sisters of TW. And during my last visit to the gastroenterologist, I shared an elevators with a pair of attractive young women who I was surprised to see were visiting my doc. They certainly didn't look like the type to have colitis or IBS. No surprise when they turned out to be Pharma Babes.

But what about in my family? We've got our share of reps there, as well. There's the Author's Spouse... not exactly a young lovely in high heels. He's more of a middle-aged guy... and if he wears high heels to work, I don't want to know about it. Of course, he's not visiting doctors any more, to my knowledge, having moved up into higher managerial levels. Then there's Middle Brother...well-coiffed? heh. His hairline isn't as far from mine as he'd like to imagine. And as for the heels, maybe they aren't required if you're repping medical devices instead of pharmaceuticals. (God, I hope they aren't). But then, he's moved up into management, as well. Maybe there's something to this women's shoes thing. Anybody know where I can get a nice pair of non-leather pumps in triple wide?