Animal rights groups should acknowledge benefits of research

Animal rights is a theme not exclusive to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Unrealistic messages concerning animal experimentation just might be. Ingrid Newkirk's assertion that animal experimentation on college campuses is unnecessary and has not helped scientific advancements is in error. My occupation as a safety supervisor with the United Postal Service is dependent on animal research conducted at institutions such as the University of Arizona.

Not long ago, a bucket containing five gallons of a corrosive detergent (hydrochloric acid) fell of a conveyor belt and splashed several employees. One individual who was splashed in the face became somewhat panicked when his shirt began to disintegrate. While my boss was holding his eyes open under the eye-wash shower unit, I was obtaining a material safety data sheet from the chemical's manufacturer. Ten minutes before we arrived at University Medical Center, the opthamologist received a fax detailing first-aid procedures recommended by the manufacturer as a result of animal experimentation. A second employee who had been splashed was five months pregnant and was very concerned about long term ramifications of an acute epidermal exposure which might have manifested in her unborn child. Contrary to Newkirk's assertion, there is no alternative to animal testing (unless of course anyone would like to volunteer).

The scientists who utilize the laboratory animals understand the privilege and responsibility associated with animal research. I never once witnessed, nor would I have tolerated any activity which might have been considered cruelty to animals in my experience inside the UA Pharmacology/Toxicology research facility. And no, they didn't pay me enough to be silent about such matters I value greatly, nor will they have any influence in my future with UPS.

It is unfortunate that the actions of a few misled animal rights activists (i.e. Biosciences West, 1989) have forced the university to hide this invaluable research deep inside the Arizona Health Science Center. The personal relationships I acquired were more applicable to my life than my experiences as a lab assistant. Never before had I appreciated the benefit of diversity. My post-doctorate mentor was a brilliant woman from India, my lab partner was on loan from China; my friend from Japan has yet to forgive me for showing him what I consider the benefits of freedom in local Tucson nightclubs.

Fortunately the majority of the students at the UA are gifted with the common sense to appreciate the necessity of animal experimentation. Like it or not, all members of this society will be tried for war crimes when and if the rats take over.

By Jack Gyger (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 24, 1997