From left, Deborah Rudacille, Joanne Zurlo, and Alan M. Goldberg
Independent surveys carried out over the past 15 years in the United States and Europe have consistently revealed that animal protection is no longer a fringe issue. However, relatively few in the widely defined animal-protection community identify themselves as "antivivisectionists."

In fact, a majority of U.S. and European citizens support animal research-when they see evidence that researchers respect laboratory animals, take animal pain and distress into consideration, and alleviate both whenever possible. Clearly, the logical way to build public support for research is for scientists to illustrate by word and deed that they value the animals in their care, and recognize both the moral and the scientific rationale for humane care and treatment of laboratory animals.

Attacks on animal protectionists do little to further the perception that researchers are responsible guardians of animal welfare. Instead, they reinforce a negative stereotype...

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