Guest guest Posted July 6, 2006 Report Share Posted July 6, 2006 *Please forward widely * stavros.dimas,env-laboratory-animals,ENV-GIR-RTD\ pa.eu,entr-reach,sg-web-president or stavros.dimas;env-laboratory-animals;ENV-GIR-RTD\ pa.eu;entr-reach;sg-web-president Subject : European survey on the welfare of animals used for experimental purposes Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Commission, The European Commission is currently carrying out a survey on the welfare of animals used for experimental purposes; please see the following website for details http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=experimentalanimals As a citizen of the European Union I would like to participate in this poll. The questionnaire however, in its present form, does not permit this. The format of question no.13 raises an important matter in the sense that it does not allow me to express my position against experimentation on animals independent of the fact that alternatives exist or not. This question is indicated as " optional " which is not in fact the case because it is impossible to proceed to validate the form unless it is completed. It is indeed regrettable to realise that this questionnaire does not conform to the democratic principles of the European Union because it only allows a certain number of European citizens to give their opinion on the extremely important matter of the rights of laboratory animals. And it is even more disappointing to note the European Commission's position in taking recourse to vivisection for want of alternative methods. May I perhaps remind you that each year one thousand million animals are sacrificed in experimental laboratories across the globe. The figures given by the European Union which may be consulted on the following website http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/lab_animals/pdf/com_2005_7_fr.pdf) are largely under-estimated because they do not take into account the following animals: transgenic animals, animals tested for military experiments and animals used in testing raw materials for the cosmetics industry etc. The results obtained from animal testing are more and more scientifically controversial (cf. http://www.antidote-europe.org/pourquoi_animal_fr.htm). Animal experimentation is dangerous for man because the animal model is not comparable to the human model. There is a vast number of molecules which can bring about radically different effects according to the species and models chosen. For example, penicillin is an antibiotic which treats infections in man yet is deadly for the guinea pig, digitaline raises the blood pressure in dogs but lowers it in a human being etc ...The result is that throughout the world thousands of human beings die as a result of side effects of medication tested on the animal model. Medical side effects constitute the fourth cause of mortality in the developed countries. There is no lack of examples: Vioxx, Oraflex, Suprol, Thalidomide ....... Animal experimentation is not only dangerous but immoral, contrary to ethics and constitutes an assault on our dignity. An animal is reduced to an object and denied all right to the respect which as a living being should be his due. In sending you this letter, I join together with all those who ask the researchers, the companies and the governments to put an end to animal experimentation and instead to promote more responsible science within which man will find a new place amongst all living beings. Yours faithfully, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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