|
You can find out more about the 'modern' protest movement by choosing a link below to view a video. This is optional and you will need a plug-in for Real Video format to do so.
Please select your internet connection
type from the list shown:-
|
Controversy about animal experimentation is not a new phenomenon. Street protests and riots against such use of animals were seen in England in the early 1900's. For many years before that there had been public debate about this issue; scientists who advocated this experimental approach were criticised and caricatured in literature.
The past 15 to 20 years have seen a significant escalation in the level and kind of public protest. Violence has been directed towards research facilities and scientists; a number of facilities in the UK and USA have been damaged by bombs and vandalism and the safety of scientists and their families has been threatened. Public protest have also been directed towards other uses of animals, such as hunting animals for furs and intensive farming of animals such as pigs and poultry. In Australia, although we have not seen these kinds of extreme activities, these issues have been the focus of on-going public debate.
Such protests are symptomatic of a much wider social dialogue. Today, as evident by the level of media commentary, the nature of our relationship with other animals is part of main stream social commentary; animal welfare issues are part of the political landscape. We see the boundaries and nature of this relationship explored in art, literature and films.
Are these societal issues relevant to your decision to use animals as part of a scientific study?
|
