Medical Research and Animal Rights

I want to commend you on your clearly stated and forthright editorial. You go to the core of the problem which is the ethical and moral obligations that we, as research scientists, have to the human race. If we can benefit our fellow humans by research on animals and in the process commit ourselves to minimizing discomfort, pain or stress in the animals, our path is clear.

Our responsibility to our fellow humans is to pursue research under currently operative rigorous guidelines and do the best we can to reduce disease-related morbidity and mortality (1.8 million Americans die each year from diseases). Medical advances in this country alone, largely attributable to animal research, have added 25 years to human life expectancy!

As researchers we are obligated to do all we can to maintain these advances. At present animal research, though various alternatives are being used to the maximum, is necessary in order that we fulfill our obligations as members of the human race.

GLENN A. LANGER, M.D.

Associate Dean for Research

UCLA School of Medicine