Myxomatosis

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 12

Myxomatosis

Sir, — In response to A. B. Samson (August 3) who supported a controlled use of myxamatosis. Using the myxomatosis flea there can be no control to the spread of the disease, and no termination of it. Surely every ounce of scientific energy should be focused oh eliminating disease. It is incredibly immoral to deliberately impose such horrific suffering on any creature. Remember too that diseases mutate and adapt. A.I.D.S. was once a disease of animals only and there can be no guarantee that myxomatosis will forever only affect the rabbit. Considering the symptoms, dare we run the risk of creating an eternal Hiroshima? — Yours, etc., MARGARET R. O’BRIEN. August 9, 1985.

Sir, — Recent comments in Australia show that there is a serious decline in the effectiveness of myxomatosis, the virus responsible for one of Australia’s best known and most successful experiments in biological pest control. These comments are also supported by research in the C.5.1.R.0. division of wildlife and rangelands. Research has found that myxoma-

tosis now kills 75 per cent of infected rabbits. They are becoming increasingly immune to the disease, while the virus itself has developed less lethal field strains which are dominant over the laboratory strains. The death rate after the introduction in the early 1950 s in Australia was 99 per cent. To capitalise on myxomatosis, New Zealand would have to go all out to exterminate rabbits. Although this may not be possible in practice it should be the objective pending the inevitable breakdown of the disease. — Yours, etc., S. COSMATOS, Kekerengu. August 6, 1985.

Sir,—Mr A. B. Samson of the Young Nationals, in his defence of the introduction of myxomatosis has failed to understand that in our society there still exists, fortunately, a breed of people who are prepared to fight against injustice and barbarism of this kind. Surely a more effective, yet humane, method of rabbit control exists and can be introduced as an alternative? How unfortunate and impoverished are people like Mr Samson who believe that cold, hard economics and logic are the be-all and end-all of life, while dismissing the quality of mercy as emotive and hot ..air. — Yours, etc., ESTELLE WIN. August 8, 1985.