Should people be allowed to use animals in medical research and in training?

The Buddhist ideal of non injury to animal life clearly has implications for the use of animals in product testing and in medical research and training. From Buddhist perspective this might be seen as analogous to the animal sacrifices of ancient Brahmanism. The use of animals in medical research at least has strong utilitarian arguments in its favor. Buddhist ethics thought is not generally based on the principle that the ends justify that means. 

From the traditional Buddhist perspective it is more certain that killing an animal is wrong that that generating better drugs etc. Mahayana ethic might suggest that it was acceptable wherever really necessary in the principal of skillful means. Buddhist point of view anyone prepared to do this has to know and accept the kamma of his actions. This would entail trying to do as little harm as possible using alternative methods if available, killing only if absolutely necessary, treating the being with tender respect and making sure the knowledge is put to good use. Of course much testing is not necessary but arises from an atmosphere of commercial secrecy and rivalry. Action more in line with traditional Buddhist behavior would be to liberate animals by buying them from establishments that would otherwise experiment in them.