One-Shot

Dead Fur is still Warm Fur

It's all wrong and here's why.

The University's purpose is to promote an atmosphere of free expression, intellectual rigor, critical thought and rational dialogue. I must admit that occasionally the University of Oregon falls somewhat short of that ideal. However, groups working toward that ideal should be encouraged, while groups mocking that ideal must be exposed. I am disturbed by groups on this campus that encourage and perpetuate a climate of fear, mistrust, ignorance and misinformation. Sadly, Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (SETA) is perpetuating such a climate. I originally found out about SETA by the curious "facts" they were alleging in letters to the editor and various newspaper articles. For instance they began a Register-Guard article by stating that every year over two million cats and dogs are stolen for research. I found this number somewhat difficult to believe, so I contacted SETA about citations for these statements and many similar ones. Repeated contact with the head of SETA produced no citations for any claims made by their organization. So I went seeking information myself. I found out that the USDA, which regulates animal research, reports that only 100,000 cats and dogs were involved in research in 1994-1995 and over half of those were bred specifically for research. So what happened to the other two million? More research showed that 2.5 million cats and dogs are reported lost each year. So SETA makes the jump from "lost" to "tortured by scientists." And that is a stupid mistake at best and academic dishonesty at worst.

Their "educational" brochure presents an array of interesting "facts" that beg for SETA is unable to provide. Take, for instance, their claim that "In 1985 the blood clotting medicine known as factorate [ed.: actually Factor VIII] was released to the public. Eight people in Canada got AIDS from the medicineÉ" Actually, the Candaian government and the Red Cross were using two-year-old blood and, in spite of pleas by U.S. researchers, they refused to test the blood product for HIV. Eight people got AIDS, not because research showed the blood was safe when it wasn't, but because people didn't do the necessary testing.

The litany of questionable information continues much further. While conversing with the head of the UO's SETA chapter about animal experimentation, I broached the subject of the use of grotesque pictures meant to depict the "true" nature of animal research. I asked if she knew the source of their trademark crucified monkey picture titled "This is Vivisection," before pointing out that the photo was staged. She replied, "I had no idea the picture was staged." To take that picture, a member of the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) posed as a graduate student, duct taped the monkey to a chair, and took a photograph as it struggled. He admitted to this in 1981 and PETA (the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals and parent organization for local SETA chapters) paid his bail. SETA uses this picture, which is almost two decades old, at every rally in an attempt to show the "true" cruelty of animal research that scientists refuse to let the public see.

SETA members also complain that they aren't allowed to waltz into an animal care facility, disrupt work in the facility, and take pictures any time they want. Well, for a researcher faced with the fear of break-ins, property damage and subsequent release of animals, increasing the security to prevent further destruction is a necessity rather than an option. In the case of the UO, barn owls and primates used in research used to be kept in a spacious outdoor enclosure. Now they must be kept in literal lock-down for security reasons. In 1986 animal rights activist Roger Troen, who is affiliated with the ALF, broke into Heustis Hall and "liberated" rabbits which were later found dead beside I-5. He was charged with and found guilty of burglary, and caused at least $38,000 in damage not including the value of the unfinished research. Once again a climate of fear and ignorance is being spread by individuals who claim to speak and care for animals but leave the "liberated" to die on the side of a road.

So what really is animal research at the University of Oregon? Well, first off 97 percent of the animals involved in research are zebrafish. They are used for studying the development of the nervous system and its defects. The other 3 percent are vertebrates used in research and are comprised of a few cats, owls, monkeys, rabbits, chickens and lizards. There is no research using dogs.

The research conducted on these animals includes work that sheds light onto Alzheimer's, blindness, deafness, muscular disorders, genetic inheritance of disease, cancer and a host of other diseases and disorders that affect millions of individuals. Animal research worldwide has already shined light on a host of problems that have plagued the entire animal kingdom. In the last century animal research has lead to treatment for rabies, anthrax, smallpox, diabetes, tetanus, arthritis, diphtheria, cancer, measles, leprosy, osteoporosis, cholera, AIDS and much more. Sixty-three of the Nobel Prizes in Medicine since 1901 have been awarded to scientists involved in animal research. Research also has provided advancements in veterinary medicine and endangered species preservation. This is what researchers are working for. This is why research matters.

There are those who say animal research is a lawless place where Nazi-inspired scientists torture animals with hardly a second thought. Nothing could be farther from the truth. At the University of Oregon, and nationwide, it is harder to get approval for an experiment involving non-human animals than it is to get a human project approved. Researchers must justify, in writing, all procedures and animals they plan to use and explain why there are no alternatives to using animals and then they must go before a Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC is a board of individuals required at every institution that conducts research involving animals. It is comprised of qualified researchers, at least one certified veterinarian and one ordinary citizen not affiliated with the institution. The IACUC then grills the researcher and makes them justify every part of the experiment. Those animals used in research (with the exception of invertebrates) are then housed in the UO's Office of Animal and Veterinary Care facility. This is a state of the art facility that is regulated by the USDA and is certified by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), an independent accreditation organization. These organizations conduct unannounced visits several times a year to inspect the facility. Research at the UO also must comply with the federal Animal Welfare Act, which was first passed in 1966 and has been updated periodically since to reflect changing science. Research at the UO is far from conjured scenes of mad scientists mindlessly subjecting animals to cruel punishment that some would want you to believe.

So what can you do to help stop the climate of fear, mistrust, and misinformation? Exactly what the UO is supposed to be for: education. When I pointed out to the head of SETA that the brochure she gave me stated that disease was spontaneous (not caused by germs), that humans don't get diseases from animals (like flu or rabies), and finally asked whether or not she really believed those statements, she merely replied "I'm not a scientist." You don't need to be a scientist to understand that clear information, carefully researched facts and a simple willingness to listen to both sides of a debate are crucial to understanding the world around us. Groups like SETA encourage an aura of fear and cruelty around animal research. Once the shroud of fear they have draped upon us is lifted, the shroud itself is a lot scarier than any of member of SETA could look in monkey suit. If you are tired of lies and fear, realize that there are scientists and researchers who will listen to your concerns and questions, and would be happy to explain what they do and why. For any information about the facts in this article or to find out more about groups on this campus interested in educating the public about science then email me at jeckenbe@oregon.uoregon.edu.

Judah Eckenberg and Gretchen Blyss are members of the Forum for Science Education.