The Enduring Animal Issue
1989; Oxford University Press; Volume: 81; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1093/jnci/81.10.736
ISSN1460-2105
Autores Tópico(s)Geographies of human-animal interactions
ResumoLarry Horton"If I were to be honest, I suppose like most people here, and doubtless a good many people in the States, I have to face the fact that I simply shudder away from the subject of animal experiments.... On the other hand . . .leukaemia in children, for example, animals who suffer to save children from leukaemia, animals versus children-I just don't want to think about it." 1 Now that's not just anyone speaking.That's Jemima Shore-a sensible heroine created by author Antonia Fraser-pausing for a bit of reflection in a recently published mystery thriller about violent animal liberationists.Jemima's no pushover; she is a spunky, highly intelligent, independent-minded journalist.She instinctively knows that research with animals is important and worthwhile; yet she is decidedly uncomfortable with it.No doubt, Jemima will support research in the clinch.But don't expect her to be out in front, and don't count on her until the last moment.Jemima's difficulty reflects not only the general public's difficulty in addressing the issue itself but also the attitude of many scientists and supporters of science, including university presidents, legislators, and corporate leaders, in dealing with the public debate and its political expressions.They just don't want to think about it.They may find reassurance in concluding, as did a recent journalist, that the animal-rights controversy is basically just "a feeding frenzy by an issue-starved, headline-hunting media," fomented by fewer than 100 troublemakers, and on the way to burning
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