Archive for 2001
Primate Freedom Project Forms Group to Focus on Chimpanzees
The Primate Freedom Project recently announced the formation of |Stop Experimentation on and Exploitation of Chimpanzees| (the acronym is SEEC, pronounced “cease”, get it?)
Anyway, most of the SEEC material is the same old “chimpanzees share 98 percent of our DNA” rhetoric, but a press release by Primate Freedom/SEEC activist Cyn Krueger did a good job of highlighting exactly where the group places non-human primates in the order of things. From a press release titled “U.S. government engages in child abuse”,
SEEC has received information that the FDA has imprisoned 11 children and is subjecting them to biomedical research. Four 5-year-olds, a 4-year-old, five 3-year-olds, and a 21-month-old infant are the subjects of a hepatitis vaccine study at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
That the victims are chimpanzees and not humans does not lessen the atrocity. Their suffering is much the same.
The SEEC web site, at http://www.seec-usa.org/ is definitely worth a visit. For example, on their “Mad Science” page dedicated to claiming that animal research is unreliable, SEEC actually cites the antihistamine seldane (terfenadine) as one of “numerous drugs shown to be safe in the animal models cause serious harm or even death to humans.”
Seldane was marketed in the United States until 1997, and was the first antihistamine that didn’t cause drowsiness. There were a small number of deaths related to seldane due to two separate issues. First, it turned out that the recommended daily dosage of seldane could cause dangerous heart arrhythmia’s in some people. Neither the animal research nor the extensive testing of the drug in human clinical trials revealed this — in fact it wasn’t until the drug had been available for several years and was on the verge of achieving over-the-counter status that the heart-related problems became obvious and the recommended dosage levels were lowered.
Seldane also caused potentially life threatening changes in heart rhythm if taken in conjunction with some antibiotics and some antifungal medication. The drug was labelled as such and pharmacists and doctors did a good job of making sure people weren’t taking seldane with these other drugs, but inevitably there were a few deaths.
Despite its side effects, the FDA allowed seldane to stay on the market because its side effects were relatively avoidable and there was no better medication for treating allergies. Once Allegra — which is similar to seldane but doesn’t have the potentially dangerous side effects problem — was approved, seldane was quickly withdrawn.
Far from being an example of the pointlessness of animal research, seldane is an excellent example of how such research can help millions of people live better lives (as someone who has severe allergy problems, the drug was a lifesaver before the approval of Allegra and Claritin).
Source:
U.S. government engages in child abuse. Cyn Krueger, Press Release, October 21, 2001.
Mad Science. Stop Experimentation on and Exploitation of Chimpanzees, Web page, Accessed 12/05/2001.
Tags: Hepatitis, Medical Research, Primate Freedom Project, Primates, Stop Experimentation on and the Exploitation of Chimpan
Makah Might Receive Quota-Free Whaling
Back in July the Makah tribe won an important victory when the National Marine Fisheries Service released the results of a study of the gray whale population — a study which was conducted only because of a successful lawsuit by anti-whaling opponents. While anti-whaling activists hoped the study would find a smaller-than-expected gray whale population, what it found was the species population was larger than it had been since commercial whaling began in the 18th century. Now the Fisheries Service is beginning plans to set a new quota for the Makah for 2003-2007, which might end up being no quota at all.
Brian Gorman, a spokesman for the Fisheries Service’s Northwest regional office, said there were four alternatives that would be assessed. The first three alternatives would give the Makah a quota of five whales per year for five years, with the differences between the three alternatives being what, if any, restrictions there would be on the time and place that the whales could be killed.
The fourth alternative being assessed is simply allowing the Makah to hunt without any quota or restrictions at all (and considering the tribe has managed to kill only one whale since it resumed hunting in 1998, it’s not like the tribe is going to be seriously threatening whale numbers).
Source:
U.S. sets stage for whaling through ‘07. Brenda Hanrahan, Peninsula Daily News, November 27, 2001.
VegParadise — All the Vegetarian News That’s Convenient
VegParadise.Com, which bills itself as “A Los Angeles Vegetarian Monthly Web Magazine” provides an excellent example of how vegetarian and vegan enthusiasts often curtail the information they present to highlight only the parts that fit their agenda.
On Dec. 1, 2001, the site published an article titled “Professor Exposes Osteoporosis Hoax” which discusses nutritionist Walter Willett’s new book, Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. As the article notes, Willett is on record as being skeptical of increasing milk consumption to prevent osteoporosis.
For some reason, though, VegParadise.Com doesn’t make its readers aware of some of Willett’s other recommendations and findings.
In his book, for example, Willett debunks the claim that eating eggs are bad for people’s health and Willett has referred to eggs as “the perfect food.” They also forget to mention a 1994 study that Willett conducted which found that consumption of high levels of Vitamin A from animal sources reduced breast cancer risk from 20 to 30 percent.
In fact, in interviews Willett has described his own personal diet which includes meat, though in moderation.
Sources:
Nutrition Author Willett Rebuilds USDA Pyramid. Harvard Public Health Now, August 24, 2001.
Willett, Walter C. Micronutrients and cancer risk. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 59 (suppl), May 1994, pp. 1162S-65S.
Professor Exposes Osteoporosis Hoax. VegParadise.Com, December 1, 2001.
Tags: Vegetarianism
Three SHAC Activists Plead Guilty to Harassing HLS Employees
Three British animal rights activists who helped coordinate a campaign of harassment against employees and shareholders of Huntingdon Life Sciences were recently sentenced to 6 months in jail followed by 6 months probation after pleading guilty to charges of conspiring to incite a public nuisance.
Greg Avery, 35, Natasha Taylor, 33, and Heather James, 34, plead guilty just a few days before a trial on the charges was to begin. The three worked on behalf of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty and produced several newsletters that were distributed to 5,000 to 10,000 people.
The newsletters published telephone numbers and addresses of people associated with HLS, and urged people to arrange to order unwanted goods to be delivered to people’s homes in order to harm their credit rating. They also urged phone blockades against banks and a persistent letter campaign directed at employees.
Some targets of the harassment campaign were receiving 10-20 letters a day and spending considerable time returning unwanted packages. As prosecutor John Farmer said, “It is the sheer persistence of it again and again — the deadening effect on their lives of these shoals of letters coming through time and time again so in the end they did not bother to open them.”
During sentencing of the three, Judge Zoe Smith agreed, saying,
Through your newsletter, you advocated and encouraged a campaign of harassments against employees, shareholders and financial backers of Huntingdon Life Sciences.
You orchestrated a campaign against shareholders and workers in their own homes. The language used at times in your newsletter was strong, referring to employees ‘Lets smash them.’
The effect was to cause stress and strain. Witnesses have spoken of feeling violated and frightened and ill and it is clear you were aware of the effect and the stress they suffered.
Meanwhile, SHAC tried to spin the guilty pleas and jail sentences as a victory for anti-HLS activists. According to a SHAC press release,
The trial for 3 the SHAC volunteers ended quietly yesterday leaving HLS completely gutted. HLS had hoped to make a show trial out of the testimonies of its pathetic employees and then claim victory in what was hoped to excessively long sentencing. Much to the lab’s dismay, the three campaigners took a deal — pleading guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Cause a Public Nuisance, and each received a sentence of 12 months in prison.
This means they only have to serve six months in jail, and taking tagging and the time they spent on remand over a year ago into account, they could all be out in a little over three months time. Not bad, considering the police (who wasted millions of pounds and countless hours of work on this pitiful case) and HLS had been pushing for, and banking on, custodial sentences of not less than 5 years.
Hey, we can only hope that more SHAC activists thwart HLS by pleading guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy!
For its part, HLS released a statement saying that the guilty pleas and sentencing was “not only a good day for biomedical research and the public who benefit from this research, but also for law and order in the UK.”
Sources:
Animal Rights Activists Jailed for Nuisance Mail Campaign. Emily Pennink, PA News, November 14, 2001.
Huntingdon animal rights activists jailed. Financial Times, November 15, 2001.
Animal rights trio jailed for attacks on lab workers staff. Jason Bennetto, November 15, 2001.
Animal rights trio jailed for campaign. The Scotsman, November 15, 2001.
Animal rights activist jailed for harassment. Adam Fresco, The Times (London), November 15, 2001.
Huntingdon Life Sciences Media Statement. November 14, 2001
HLS / police fail with their show trial against 3 SHAC volunteers!. Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, Press Release, November 15, 2001.
Tags: Greg Avery, Heather James, Huntingdon Life Sciences, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, Terrorism
Does Jean Barnes Even Read Her Press Releases?
In October 2001, Jean Barnes of In Defense of Animals released a couple of press releases related to the Yerkes Primate Center at Emory University that were as bizarre as they were absurd.
On October 5, Barnes sent out a press release screaming “Busted: Homophobe at Yerkes . . .” Barnes accused Yerkes researcher Kim Wallen of “see[ing] tran-sexuals and homosexuals as ill” and added that “Fred Phelps would be pleased.” What is the source of such remarks? Barnes has conducted research into gender assignment in primates, rats, and other species, including research into the role that exposure to testosterone and testosterone antagonists plays in the socialization and development of non-human primates. According to Barnes, then, merely studying gender assignment is homophobic.
On October 11, Barnes sent out an other press release blaring that “Coca-Cola Wants Distance from Emory University’s Failed Animal Experiments,” in which she claimed that “The Coca-Cola Company is apparently attempting to distance itself form the demonstrated cruel and useless experiments currently being conducted at Emory University and Emory’s Yerkes Primate Center.”
Barnes’ argument in this case was hilarious. Apparently Barnes and others sent inquiries to The Coca-Cola Company asking them to stop supporting the Yerkes Primate Center. Coca-Coal sent back a form reply saying,
Thank you for contacting the Coca-Cola Company.
You had express your concerns regarding the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. We have researched our donations and do not have any records of making any direct contribution to their research efforts.
Barnes still can’t get her through her head that there is a difference between setting up a $5 billion endowment for Emory University — which Coca-Cola has done — and giving money directly to the Yerkes Primate Facility. Barnes might pick an Emory University student at random — say John Doe — and then write a letter to Coca-Cola demanding to know why they are financially supporting John Doe’s education!
Sources:
Coca-Cola Wants Distance from Emory University’s Failed Animal Experiments. Jean Barnes, Press Release, In Defense of Animals, October 11, 2001.
Busted: Homophobe at Yerkes . . . Jean Barnes, Press Release, In Defense of Animals, October 5, 2001.
Tags: Emory University, In Defense of Animals, Jean Barnes, Primates
Barry Horne’s Final Act on the Public Stage
Apparently Barry Horne wanted his funeral to be just another platform for the animal rights movement, and it was — though the message bystanders took away from the proceedings may have differed somewhat from what Horne intended.
Wearing his favorite football shirt (a sport that revolves around leather ball the last time I checked), about 300 animal rights activists gathered to see Horne buried in a Northampton cemetary. His body was carried in a cardboard coffin and the ceremonies conducted by a pagan priestess.
Although numerous animal rights activists, including other convicted terrorists, were in attendance, neither Horne’s ex-wife nor his son made an appearance. After the pagan ceremony, the funeral featured several speakers denouncing the British government’s stands on animal research and a call for others to continue the work that Horne started.
The highlight had to be animal rights activist Keith Mann who urged other activists not to be afraid. “We are going to lose more people They are going to kill us. The fight starts now.” This from a man who spent 7 years in jail for firebombing a farm. Who exactly is trying to kill who?
In case anybody missed that point, animal rights activist John Curtis said that, “Animal rights is a war. We are at war for the animals. We need to make sacrifices for the animals, too.”
Quite correct, and medical researchers, farmers and others are trying to defend themselves in this war from an animal rights movement that idolizes arsonists like Horne and Mann out of a twisted conception of compassion.
Source:
Animal rights activist buried. John Vidal, The Guardian (London), November 17, 2001.
Animal rights activist saluted as a martyr. Oliver Wright, The Times (London), November 17, 2001.
Tags: Animal Liberation Front, Barry Horne, Terrorism
PETA and Animal Rights Violence
In a recent op-ed article, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals president Ingrid Newkirk defended her organization by claiming that “PETA does not condone . . . violent acts.”
But in fact, PETA or its representatives have often rationalized or celebrated violence. Consider just a few examples:
* In the December/January 2000 issue of ‘Genre’, PETA’s Dan Mathews was asked to name men of the 20th century he admired. Mathews told the magazine he admired serial killer Andrew Cunanan, “because he got Versace to stop doing fur.”
* In 1999, an animal rights terrorist group calling itself the Justice Department sent letters booby-trapped with razor blades to medical researchers and fur farms in the United States and Canada. When asked about the letters, Newkirk said, “I hope it frightens them [the researchers] out of their careers. If experimenters feel afraid now, that’s nothing compared with the fear, harm and death they have inflicted on their victims.”
* In a new author’s note in her book about the Animal Liberation Front, ‘Free the Animals’, Newkirk writes, “Determined to cause economic injury to the exploiters, ALF members burn down their emptied buildings and smash their vehicles to smithereens. Perhaps, after reading this book, you will find that you cannot blame them.”
* In 1994, PETA donated $42,500 to the Rodney Coronado Support Committee. Coronado is an animal rights terrorist who in 1995 pleaded guilty to firebombing a medical research facility at Michigan State University.
* In fact, Newkirk herself has expressed a wish to carry out arson. At a 1997 animal rights convention she said, “I wish we all would get up and go into the labs and take the animals out or burn them down.” In 1999 she expanded on that sentiment, telling the ‘Chronicle of Higher Education’, “I find it small wonder that the laboratories aren’t all burning to the ground. If I had more guts, I’d light a match.”
When Newkirk claims that PETA does not condone violent acts, what she really means is that it is more convenient at the moment to pretend that PETA doesn’t condone criminal acts. This is a pretty common animal rights tactic - never let principles or the truth get in the way.
But why do PETA and other groups sympathize with and celebrate violence? Because they’re losing their war against animal use, and they know it.
Don’t take my word for it. That’s the conclusion of PETA’s Bruce Friedrich. In 1998 animal rights activist Freeman Wicklund wrote an article for ‘Animal’s Agenda’ arguing that the animal rights movement should adopt a non-violent approach modeled on Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friedrich responded with an essay calling Wicklund’s views “obscene.” According to Friedrich, there are so few animal rights activists and such concerted opposition to the movement’s goals that a nonviolent strategy will never work.
Instead, “Direct action which utilizes a broader range of tactics, including secrecy and sabotage, is far more challenging, and, consequently, more effective… Considering the power of our opposition, can you imagine where we would be without surprise direct actions and the secrecy required for so much of what we do?”
When it first arrived on the scene, PETA and other animal rights groups were new and exotic and received press coverage far disproportionate to their numbers and usually very sympathetic.
As the 1990s wore on, however, the protests started receiving less attention and reporters began to view the animal rights movement more critically.
At the same time, it became apparent that while many Americans were rightly concerned about issues related to animal welfare, for the most part, people were unwilling to take that concern to the extremes demanded by some in the animal rights movement.
Even PETA’s own celebrity spokespeople can’t stay on message. Mary Tyler Moore shows up to oppose fur but then turns around and lobbies Congress for money to fund research on juvenile diabetes - research which will inevitably include animal experiments.
Like many political movements that have seen their progress thwarted, many in the animal rights movement now see violent acts as a legitimate and necessary tactic to further their agenda.
Even relatively successful groups such as PETA feel the need to rationalize, if not support or defend, such violence. And it matters not whether people suffer physical injury in such assaults. To debate the meaning of violence is akin to debating the meaning of ‘is.’
Newkirk may have devoted much time and money to saving pets in the wake of the World Trade Center attack, but she seems to have little, if any, regard for the medical researchers, farmers and others whose lives and livelihood are threatened by animal rights violence.
Tags: Animal Liberation Front, Bruce Friedrich, Ingrid Newkirk, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Terrorism
Listen to Bruce Friedrich Call for Violence
In a recent article, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals‘ Ingrid Newkirk claimed that her group does not condone violence. Really? Then why did Bruce Friedrich tell a group at the Animal Rights 2001 Conference that while he doesn’t “blow up stuff,”
…I do advocate it, and I think it’s a great way to bring about animal liberation.
Thanks to the folks at the Guest Choice Network you can hear Friedrich in his own words. They have a 1 megabyte WAV file of Friedrich going on at lenght about the glories of animal rights terrorism. You can download it at http://www.guestchoice.com/downloads/peta_quote.wav
Tags: Bruce Friedrich, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Terrorism
Lab Believes ALF Break-In Was Inside Job
The Animal Liberation Front claimed credit this week for breaking into and damaging a laboratory facility owned by Sierra Biomedical, but a spokesman for the company says it believes that a current or former employee is likely responsible for the damage.
Sierra Biomedical spokesman Christopher DiFrancesco told the Associated Press that the company suspects an insider because a) the terrorists knew how to bypass the security system, and b) some areas of the lab appeared to have been deliberately left untouched.
While the ALF claimed it destroyed virtually ever piece of equipment in the lab, DiFrancesco said that in fact only about 25 percent of the equipment was damaged and there was little or no destruction of research.
Police and the FBI are currently fingerprinting and interviewing current and former employees of the lab, but have made no arrests.
Source:
Lab thinks employee probably the vandal. Ben Fox, Associated Press, November 14, 2001.
Tags: Animal Liberation Front, Medical Research, Terrorism
Animal Rights Activists: Prevent Terrorism — Stop Hunting
A New York-based animal rights group called Wildlife Watch is attempting to exploit the 9/11 terrorist attacks to push its anti-hunting agenda. According to Wildlife Watch, terrorists could use hunting season to launch terrorist attacks (I’m not making this up).
According to Wildlife Watch’s Anne Muller, hunting “is just a wonderful opportunity for someone who would want to do a terrorist act. They don’t have to report their whereabouts and can be lurking anywhere. They can lurk in groups.” The group elaborated on that view in a press release saying,
Armed and camouflaged individuals can get close to chemical, agricultural, business facilities, gas pipelines, electrical powerlines, substations, transformers and airports. Local police and environmental conservation officers will merely slough off concerns saying that the individuals are ‘just hunting.’
For its part, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation understands the real message that Wildlife Watch is trying to communicate. “We take our direction from law enforcement professionals, not groups that would attempt to use the war on terrorism to advance their own agenda,” said spokesman Peter Constant.
Wildlife Watch posted a message on an animal rights e-mail list recently asking people to send letters to various New York officials demanding a suspension of the hunting season, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 19. It included a sample letter which, among other things, said,
Hunting is not a necessity, true subsistence hunters (those who depend on the meat) are less than 1/10th of 1% of the population. Because the wildlife management agencies are benefiting, and their bureaucratic survival depends on the use of firearms and ammunition, it is they who are putting the rest of us at risk. Their claim that hunting conditions pose no threat to the welfare of society is self-serving and doesn’t allow us to prevent against possible terrorist occurrences.
Actually, from here it seems like the animal rights activists who are desperately trying to convince the public that they are still relevant.
Source:
N.Y. wildlife group calls hunting a terror threat. Fox News, November 10, 2001.
Letters needed to suspend hunting in NY State. Wildlife Watch, e-mail communication, November 14, 2001.
Tags: Anne Muller, Hunting, New York, United States, Wildlife Watch