Animals And Research

I am writing to comment on the letter from Donald J. Barnes, director of the National Antivivisection Society [The Scientist, Jan. 7, 1991, page 16]. In response to Albert Kligman's challenge to antivivisectionists to openly debate their positions with members of the scientific establishment [The Scientist, Oct. 29, 1990, page 16], Barnes complains that "it is increasingly difficult to find members of the active biomedical research community who will agree to such debates within our public institutions." He also states that he would be delighted to debate the issue of animal use in research and testing.

If Barnes is having trouble finding opponents in his neighborhood to debate him on this controversy, I would suggest that he go west. I have debated with antivivisectionists and animal rightists on numerous occasions in recent years, and I would be pleased to have Barnes as an opponent. A format that might appeal to...