[baarn] State Proposition 71 - Likelihood of Testing on Animals...Pawpac Recommendations

October 29, 2004

Paw PAC didn't take a position on Prop 71 because it wasn't clear if it would entail more animal research or not, but I agree with Bob that it probably will, because after we'd sent out our endorsements I saw an ad by Christopher Reeves in support of the Prop saying it had already been effective on animals. Perhaps ultimately it can replace some animals. I expect it will pass.

Virginia Handley

Paw PAC

www.pawpac.org

-

Vigil for Animals

Bay Area Animal Rights Network ; SF Bay Area Veg*n

Wednesday, October 27, 2004 8:35 PM

[baarn] State Proposition 71 - Likelihood of Testing on Animals...Pawpac Recommendations

Dear Voters for Animals:

Since at the last Vigil meeting the subject of Stem Cell Research came up - and its funding under Proposition 71, I decided to quote some of the proposed legislation itself from the California Voter Information Guide. So for your information, here is a small but significant part (there is a total of 8 pages of amendments) of the proposition.

"This initiative measure expressly amends the California Constitution by adding an article thereto....

Article XXXV. Medical Research

SECTION 1. There is hereby established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

SEC. 2. The institute shall have the following purposes:

(a) To make grants and loans for stem cell research, for research facilities, and for other vital research opportunities to realize therapies, protocols, and/or medical procedures that will result in, as speedily as possible, the cure for, and/or substantial mitigation of, major diseases, injuries, and orphan diseases.

(b) To support all stages of the process of developing cures, from laboratory research through successful clinical trials."

I think the key term in the above quote is "laboratory research"; that term is practically synonymous with experiments on mice and rats, and occasionally other animals. Knowing that, and the great amount of money involved - up to $3 billion - and the great profits that will be made by companies associated with biotech industry, I am currently strongly inclined to vote no on this proposition.

Also, in case you did not know, here are Pawpac's* recommendations on several of the state propositions:

YES on Prop. 59

NO on Prop. 64

NO on Prop. 68

* Pawpac is a state political action committee advocating for animals.

Bob O'Brien

Mail – CNET Editors' Choice 2004. Tell them what you think. For events: Please see message archives and calendar atbaarn