NASA’s plans to test on non-humans

I thought everyone should make themselves aware of NASA plans to expose squirrel monkeys to radiation in an attempt to understand the effects of interplanetary travel.  The PCRM, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has filed a petition with the U.S. government asking for a halt to these cruel experiments.

“The proposed experiments are cruel, unnecessary, and lack scientific merit. There are better, more humane ways of understanding the potential dangers of interplanetary travel to humans…The experiments—proposed by researcher Jack Bergman of McLean Hospital in Boston—would involve irradiating monkeys and testing them to see how they perform on various tasks.  Bergman has used squirrel monkeys for 15 years in addiction experiments, which have involved applying electric shocks, withholding food, and completely immobilizing the animals in restraint chairs for extended periods…Genetic, physiological, and anatomical differences between humans and monkeys dramatically limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the planned experiments.”

NASA should be representing a future that is better for all- human and nonhuman animals alike- through technological progress that only an space agency could provide.  Animal experimentation does not represent progress.  This type of “research” does not belong anywhere in society, let alone in an organization responsible for interplanetary travel.  The dark ages of science should be well past us now, and no organization should be using the antiquated science of animal testing.

The PCRM has a link for you to voice your opinion directly to NASA regarding their barbaric approach to science and “technological progress.”  Click here to send an email and take action.

via pcrm.org

Hey ya’ll.  As a new contributor to YDV, I’d like to tell you a bit about myself.  I’m Angle, Charleen Angle, I’ve been a vegan for about four years, and I will be vegan till they pry my weapon (MacBook) from my cold, dead hands.  Now, I couldn’t tell you if I’m a “regular” vegan, an “abolitionist” vegan, an “anarcho” vegan, a “mama’s” vegan, or a “vegan” vegan.  But I will tell you this, I don’t take kindly to those who exploit sentient beings.  So, if I seem a little “unruly” at times… deal with it.  After all, I’m just exercising my right to free speech- it’s not like I’m contributing to the torture and killing of billions of animals everyday.