Trials on monkeys

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 16

Trials on monkeys

Sir,—J. Sharp’s response (November 13) is similar to my own sentiments about the strong allegiance expressed by the Rev. Francis Rosendale, minister of the Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. I would like to express my appreciation that at least one member of a Christian fraternity in our city of Christchurch has enough strength to speak up on the atrocities practised on animals in the name of research. It is obvious that by the silence from other leaders of numerous faiths, that they condone experiments on animals, while they prefer to remain abysmally ignorant. The wheel is turning because of those who are prepared to denounce the archaic practices which are upheld by multi-national companies—Yours, etc., (Mrs) ANTOINETTE C. TARLTON. November 15, 1981.. Sir,—Mrs Pauline Boddington (November 15) is to'be commended for her letter protesting against primates being used for medical experiments. She points out the suffering inflicted on these animals in the name of “so-called science.” If she would read the article on the same page as her letter (November 12) she will surely understand that, her words “so-called science” are null and void. Vivisection is a very big science indeed. At a

meeting held recently in Geneva, wildlife managers and scientists were approached by medical researchers asking for adequate supplies of monkeys and other animals. Conservationists, on the other hand, were alarmed by the rapid depletion of certain species, and some called for a ban on the export of primates for laboratory purposes. It is opportune to note here that antivivisectionists were not invited .to this meeting. However, people who wield power over animals are getting together, each to put forward his own case. Crimes against animals are becoming more widely known through the media, as are crimes which man inflicts on his own kind.—Yours, etc., (Miss) H. D. ECCLES. November 15, 1981.