Unfortunately, the movement has a downside that threatens to paralyze biomedical research.
Few researchers can look at the assertions and actions of the Washington-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) without becoming enraged. The organization's overheated propaganda, its distortions of the truth, its intimidation of respected scientists, and various acts that border on guerrilla warfare have so alienated the group's opponents that rational dialogue seemingly has become impossible.
Passions run high on both sides, to the detriment of the whole research enterprise, whose triumphs in the last two decades alone are shining examples of the progress animal research has provided.
While researchers certainly have a compelling case and can cite numerous human diseases that have come under control through research on animals, the truths they reveal are cavalierly deflected by the animal rights zealots. And the scientists, with their cool rationalizations, are no match for PETA's ability to ...
