Do you think it is ethical to collect estrogen urine from pregnant mares?

I have been reading about the horrible conditions pregnant Mares are kept in to aid in the production of Premarin. Considering the mixed views on hormone replacement therapy, should this practice continue?

http://www.fwhc.org/health/premarin.htm

re:lockesmith

Can you say thalidomide? It sounded good on paper too, look where that led.
HRT is becoming an increasingly controversal treatment for the symptomology or menapause. I don't know how you feel as a woman but personally as a human being I would not want a creature to suffer in such a way to ease my pain and discomfort. Unless it is life threatening or handicaping I do not believe the needless exploitation of animals to make me a little more comfortable is ok.

I'll give you some pregnant urine. Is fed-ex okay?

Have a heart for those of us who must depend on hormonal replacement therapy. We pay top dollar because there is no generic form and the co- pay is still outrageous. Report It

Ask this question AFTER you have had your first hot flash.

I absolutely do not think this practice is ethical. The horses are catheterized, which is very painful, and then they are forced to stand in a little stall all day long with very little water in order to keep their urine more concentrated. Plus, they are kept pregnant. This is not good for the mare or the colt. I think it should be outlawed.

Premarin is the primary drug that uses this practice. I am not a big supporter of the drug, because it caused my mother's cholesterol to shoot up past 800. Every day she took it she was on the verge of a stroke.