For Discussion: UCSC researchers targeted by animal rights activists
Leslie Crews
Tuesday, 05 August 2008 19:39 UTC
UCSC researchers targeted by animal rights activists: How do we protect ourselves and our research?
Yesterday two researchers at UCSC were the victims of firebombs suspected to be the work of animal rights activists. One researcher was targeted at his home, where he and his family were forced to escape through second-story windows, and the second researcher’s car was destroyed. This is hardly a unique incident, as vandalism and harassment have been reported at many UC campuses in the past years, and I’m sure some of you may remember the Animal Liberation Front hoax bomb scare last year at UCSD that shut down the entire medical school campus for the afternoon and evening.
Now, as an animal lover myself, I have always personally had conflicted feelings about the ethics of animal research, however as a scientist I accept that it is a necessary facet of research that allows us to develop treatments and cures for devastating human disorders. These animal rights activists clearly have a vastly different view of animal research and their outrage can threaten our lives and livelihoods as scientists. Do incidents like this make you fearful to be involved in animal research? How could we raise public awareness or better protect ourselves and our research from threats like these?
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Replies
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Good point. I have personal hesitations with handling animals in experimental research, but a lot of that stems from the lifestyle choices that I have adopted. The scientist in me knows without a doubt that medical advancements cannot be made without animal research. Not to mention, that often the progress made also benefits animal health as well. I am sure all researchers agree that there is a “right” way and there are “wrong” ways of conducting animal research, and for that very reason guidelines have been implemented and huge measures are taken to ensure that these guidelines are being adhered to. To read more about UCSD’s policies and USDA animal handling recommendations, click.
The appearance of violent forms of action by Animal Rights Activists is hypocritical and counterproductive to the notion of humane treatment. Would a better solution be to create a platform for discussion with all parties (institutions, members of the scientific community, the public, animal rights defenders)? Maybe there could be better understanding between all sides on what is really happening and if concerns are brought up, then rational and reasonable solutions can be developed.
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