Home Page
|
Stop Animal
Exploitation NOW!
Media Coverage Protesters object to animal testing at ASU Researchers cite stringent approval process to use animals by Emilia Arnold published on Friday, April 29, 2005
A small group of protesters gathered along University Drive
outside Manzanita Hall on Thursday and held signs and models of laboratory
monkeys in pain and fear. ASU students, Valley residents and members of local animal
rights' groups staged a small demonstration to protest the Biodesign Institute's
use of animals for research. "We wouldn't want to be trapped in [cages] with nothing to
do," said Shaynie Aero, founder of Last Chance for Animals Arizona and
co-founder of Animal Commandos. "I am absolutely 100 percent against keeping animals in cages
or for any form of human use," said Chelsea Richards, an applied biology and
wildlife habitat sophomore. Richards said keeping pets is a different situation.
"All of my pets are rescues," she said. Kimberly Ovitt, director of communications for the Biodesign
Institute, said animal testing at ASU is not what opponents call "needless." "All of our testing that involves animals is aimed at
improving human health and quality of life," Ovitt said. "It's not for
cosmetics, or anything like that." Ovitt said animal testing at ASU is not taken lightly.
"Researchers must go through committee," Ovitt said. "The
committee must approve of how the animal is used, and that it is for a
legitimate purpose." The protesters directed their message at passing cars, but
also passed out fliers. People passing by said they did not know much about the
topic, or did not understand the demonstrators' message. Ovitt said protesters would be more effective if they tried to
help scientists in their efforts to decrease the number of animals being used in
research. She said ASU researchers develop methods that do not include animals,
including computer models and noninvasive testing procedures. "If [protesters'] solution is no research," she said, "then
that's not contributing to medical care." Reach the reporter at
[email protected].
Return to Media
Coverage |
We welcome your comments
and questions
Welfare (d-43)
This site is hosted and maintained by:
The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation
Thank you for visiting all-creatures.org.
Since