First off, @Svetlana ...yes actually, the Chernobyl radiation has produced a lot of birth defects in both animals and humans that have shed light on the science of genetics... Secon d off, I'm an animal activist, when it comes to inhumane treatment of animals in farming and vivisection that produces little to no results and/or is for no scientific benefit (like cosmetics testing). However, animal experiments are necessary for the advancement of science! Bogdanov ... do you know how many people would have died or become seriously ill if drugs went straight to human testing? Let me tell you, a lot, heck, even some drugs that DID go through animal testing still proved dangerous to humans, animal testing with medicine helps save human lives. It is one thing for us to love animals, and I personally do, but we should try and extend that love to our fellow human beings too, shouldn't we? If a handful of animals can help save the lives of millions of human beings, I think its worth it... as well, if a hanful of animals can help us make advances that will provide a better future for us all, I think the same... Space experiments with animals protect the lives of astronauts as well as allow us to make great advances that may one day lead us to colonize other worlds and have more places to live for our ever-expanding global population.

Animal research is important to human health research, including that of space research, so one hopes that the use of animals will be done as humanely as possible, for such important goals. The Russian people I know are really fond of their animals - dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters - and I'm sure that they will want to know that the world-famous BION program treats its animals humanely and with the same respect they give their own pets. 

Humans are the most cruel and the most irrational animals on this planet...
I support our desire to explore the Universe and expand our knowledge and influence. But, please, leave other creatures (with the normal brains) alone. This includes not only space exploration, but also the medicine. All new drugs should be tested on humans only. There are quite enough of us to be used for different sort of experiments... By the way, I heard that there are volunteers who are willing to take one-way ticket to Mars. Why do not use their "service"? It seems, their brains have already damaged enough. Why do not put it in the "good" use?

It's quite sad that after 50 years of space exploration by humans there is a 'need' for experiments on small helpless animals to establish if any of their muscle mass was lost or cosmic radiation damage done. Who called it a progress? Did the Chernobyl radiation teach anything of science?

Cruel scientists don't think about how much the animals suffer!And how they die from overheatin g,overpressuring,hug e stress condition!Senseless expedition to Mars will give nothing!It's a blunt wasting of taxpayer's money.