Page 12-Friday, February 10, 1978-The Michigan Doily
Vet urges protection of animals
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207 E. LIBERTY 663-8611
By MITCH CANTOR
Noted veterinarian Michael Fox
called for a national ad hoc commit-
tee to oversee research experiments
involving animals, as he addressed a
crowd of nearly 100 last night.
The speech, sponsored by Fund for
Animals and the Committee to Save
the Baboon Seven, was delivered at
the First Baptist Church on E.
Huron.
DR. FOX, who writes the national-
ly syndicated column, "Ask Your
Vet," said he "would like to see a
national Humane Commission, which
would mean establishing an authori-
tative commission. Showing slides as
he spoke, Fox, the director of the
Institute for Studies of Animal Prob-
lems, attacked needless repetition of
animal research.
Calling this type of research
"quasi-science," Fox emphasized a
change in the legal system isn't the
answer to this problem.
"We need a new ethic, not new
legislation," he said. "We're screw-
ing up our environment royally."
FOX LAUDED the recent pressure
put on scientists at the University's
Highway Safety Research Institute
who planned to kill as many as seven
baboons in crash-impact car experi-
ments. The experiments were halted
two days after the first baboon was
killed.
"You have something to celebrate
... it is important that this kind of
work was exposed. The public does
not have a powerful voice, but you've
shown how loud that voice can be,"
Fox said.
He also attacked several specific
instances of man's cruelty to animals
which aren't related to research.
SCRUTINIZING seal - clubbing,
Fox said, "We're not really doing this
for any other reason than the vanity
of wearing their skin."
Fox also criticized fur trapping. He
slammed the trappers' excuse that,
killing animals helps eliminate ra-
bies. Fox said most of the animals
killed by traps don't even carry
rabies.
Fox cited bullfighting as "the most
pathetic example of inhumane treat-
ment. It is a travesty in a so-called
civilized nation," he said.
BEFORE THE slide presentation,
Fox spoke of animal rights.
"Animals don't have rights be-
cause they can't talk," he said,
explaining a common opinion. "Does
this mean dumb people don't have
rights, either?" Fox then pointed out
monkeys have learned to communi-
cate by sign language and computer.
Fox noted that animals to be used
for human consumption experience
much cruelty.
"MUCH OF the food the animals
eat is food that we ourselves could
eat. Why are people keeping crea-
tures 1 i k e this (inhumanely
penned)?" he asked anxiously.
Attacking those who point to man's
God-given superiority over animals,
he claimed, "the real interpretation
of the Bible is that 'dominion' (over
animals) means 'stewardship.' "
Turning his attention to the prob-
lem of the research scientists, Fox
Fox
expressed dissatisfaction with their
attitudes. He said they act as if they
have "the God-given right to investi-
gate whatever.
"THE PROBLEM now is in safety
testing, (like that involving the
Baboon Seven), where the scientist
will side with industry. My question
to the scientists would be, 'What is
the relevance of what you are doing?'
"To be a real scientist you have to
be creative. This is not creative re-
search; it is a technological ap-
proach to life."
Fox said the "needless prolifera-
tion (safety-testing research) i s
something we must stop."
Toward the end of his presentation,
Fox pointed out that any research
conducted with mistreated animals
is invalid. "For good research, you
have to have happy animals, and this
is a terrible challenge."
Among the crowd of concerned cit-
izens there were three of the four
founders of the Committee to Save
the Baboon Seven as well as repre-
sentatives from Fund for Animals,
who worked together selling books,
bumper stickers, and buttons to raise
money for their cause.
The group is presently making
plans to meet with the University re-
gents.
/
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Panama
debate
continues
(Continued from Page 1)
acknowledged that the specter or
relinquishing U.S. control over the in-
ternational waterway is not a popular
one with most Americans.
"The American people are opposed to
the treaties and I urge my colleagues to
get in close contact with the people
before casting your votes," Sen.
William Scott (R-Va.) reminded Byrd.
Byrd responded by saying, "there's
no political mileage in voting for the
treaties. I know what my constituents
are saying. But I have a responsibility
not only to follow them but to inform
them and lead them. . . I'm not going to
betray my responsibility to my con-
stituents .."
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