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Activists protest UT animal research Animal rights activists protested outside the UT Animal Resource Center Sunday, saying animal testing is cruel and unnecessary. "I believe it is wrong to exploit animals for human purposes when there are alternatives available," said Diana Kantor, a government junior and member of the campus chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. On the last day of World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week, Kantor spoke to more than 100 animal rights activists from all over Texas who were protesting the UT System's use of animals in research. But Jerry Fineg, director of the Animal Resource Center at Speedway and 27th Street, said animals are needed for research. "I think the research is done for the good of humanity," he said. He said that although people cannot walk into the center freely, "it is open to the public upon public request." Fineg also said he feels students have every right to demonstrate as long as it remains peaceful. Activists said they are unhappy that the University spends money to treat animals like "disposable supplies. "Lauren Sullivan, the regional coordinator for In Defense of Animals, a national nonprofit advocacy organization based in San Rafael, Calif., said the University does not have as many animals for research as other universities, but any animal research is too much. According to the 1994-95 UT budget, the University spent $290,330 on animal research in fiscal year 1994. Don Barnes, a former animal researcher and director of the National Anti-Vivisection Society, said after spending 16 years in the research field, he is tired of seeing animals die. "All around the country, people like [animal rights' activists] are saying stop the torture, stop the pain... open the cages, let the animals free," said Barnes, who has been protesting animal research for 13 years. "I want to see these labs start closing their doors." Barnes said the majority of animals are used for medical research on diseases which still have not been cured. "We should help people remain healthy instead of waiting for some magical cure," he said. Some protesters also stressed that humans have no right to violate another species simply because animals cannot speak in their own defense. Mark Bernstein, a professor of philosophy at UT-San Antonio, said, "It's time we begin to extend our circle of moral responsibility... and reach out and embrace life." Mary Ann Rankin, a professor of zoology, said she thinks we are obligated to use animals for research."It is critically important to human health. If we are to make progress... we absolutely must be able to use animal models," she said. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston recently spent $171,303 to study the effects of cocaine and methadone on rhesus monkeys, according to documents from In Defense of Animals. Sullivan said humans could provide important and helpful research data, and many humans also are in need of help to overcome their own chemical dependencies. Animal rights advocates represented such groups as Austin-based Action for Animals, Dallas-based Animal Connection of Texas, Denton Alliance for Animal Rights, Houston Animal Rights Team, the Austin, Corpus Christi and San Antonio chapters of Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, San Antonio-based Voice for Animals and Waco Animal Rights Network. Protesters also encouraged each other not to give up on the fight against using animals for research. "Always raise hell peacefully and stay angry," Kantor said. |