Ignorance on Animal Research

Kathy Leslie’s letter (Feb. 19) was a good example of the ignorance of animal activists and research advocates. It is true that the majority of animal activists are uninformed on the issue of animal research, but no more so than the opposition.

Ms. Leslie assumes drug testing on animals has some applicability to human response, when in fact it does not. Drug testing on animals primarily protects drug companies from lawsuits. Thalidomide and stilboestrol are tragic examples of this.

Were it true that animals in animal research were handled humanely under “carefully regulated conditions,” there might not be such a furor.

Having a medical background, I too, believed in the necessity of animal research. I took it upon myself to investigate the subject, and I was appalled that such useless barbarism has existed and continues today.

It continues for two reasons--greed and ignorance. As long as government grants are forthcoming, the research will continue to sustain the massive biomedical industry.

And ignorance is difficult to counter, because most people don’t have the stomach to read the truth, any more than most people can confront any evil.

MAGGIE HERBERT

North Hollywood