Today is clearly a day for me spotting online petitions. This one has been signed by Tony Blair and has provoked the following response from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection:
“This petition is being run by an extremist group of vested interests representing a very narrow area of medical research.
“They want to see the UK continue with an outdated method of research as opposed to taking up more advanced, non-animal scientific methods.”
Extremists? This is what the petition actually says (my emphasis):
I believe that medical research is essential for developing new medical and veterinary treatments. I understand that finding safe and effective treatments and medicines requires some studies using animals.
I believe that medical research using animals, carried out to the highest standards of care and welfare, and where there is no alternative available, should continue in the UK.
I believe that people involved in medical research using animals have a right to work and live without fear of intimidation or attack.
If BUAV really believe that is “extremism” then their condemnation of anti-vivisectionist terrorism is meaningless. I have no problem whatsoever signing up to the People’s Petition – even if it is endorsed by Blair – and I suggest you do too. For the sake of balance however, I do recommend this article.
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