Critics Beef About Pig Explosions in US Army Tests

Campaigners question need to test body armor by blowing up pigs in Humvees

By Rob Quinn

Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:00 AM CDT

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Critics Beef About Pig Explosions in US Army Tests — Marine Pfc.Jesse Young, 19, of Clinton, Conn., wearing body armor, enters a mock village during a training exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)

Animal rights activists have condemned the US military for blowing up live pigs to test body armor, USA Today reports. Military officials say the tests provided valuable information on the relationship between body armor and brain injury. But critics say the pig-blasting program caused unnecessary animal suffering for questionable results.

"I think the relevance of this is highly questionable," said a Humane Society official, who acknowledged that protecting soldiers was "a worthy goal." "People are not pigs. Is this the best they can do after several years of losing soldiers to roadside bombs?"

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