It's a long standing tactic for animal rights groups to prey on the emotions of college students. Hell - It's a long standing tactic for any activist group to do this, it's an easy way to get support. Young adults out in the world, thirsty for knowledge and brimming with idealism make great targets for that kind of thing.
So it's refreshing to see that on the animal rights front, there is a group working on getting the word out to students about responsible research.
Pro-Test is a UK group that works to educate people on the benefits of responsible research and the facts that are usually distorted by the activism groups. It looks like Tom Holder from Pro-Test is starting an outreach program to rally students and faculty in support of lifesaving medical research. (Paraphrased from their press release ). The name of the initiative is "Speaking of Research" Here's more:
"Animal rights activism is now at an all time high in the United States. Several university researchers have recently had their homes attacked by protesters while other scientists and their families have been threatened by mail, email and phone.
Tom Holder, founder of Speaking of Research, said: Students played a major part in changing public attitudes toward animal research in the UK, and we believe that American students can do the same. Animal research is responsible for most of the lifesaving treatments we take for granted, from anesthetics and asthma inhalers to penicillin and insulin. Its time to stand up for science, reason and the belief that a small and sometimes violent minority should not be allowed to dictate the future of medical research."
From an email by Jacquie Calnan (President of Americans for Medical Progress) They are accepting suggestions regarding colleges, student groups or other organizations that would be interested in hosting. Check out the press release for contact info.
