Antony Burgess, Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne says…
‘Professor Metcalf is one of the most successful Australian scientists of his time… he has inspired two generations of young scientists and clinicians to undertake the most challenging of medical problems, to compete with the world’s best and to win. Scientists from all over the world recognize his role in the discovery of blood cell growth factors.’
Different sources for statistics are based upon different criteria and this confuses the issue. Accurate global figures for animal testing are both difficult to obtain and to update so the following numbers of animals involved must be allowed as estimates only and considered in that light. They amount to millions the world over. The purposes for which the various classes of animals are used at the present time however are accurate.
There have been many efforts over the last century to curb the wrongs and to address the issues in modern life and habits that involve animals.We cannot ignore the evidence of one of the most reputable groups that confirms the existence of very real cruelties and the very real situations that need to be corrected.
Everything we think of as a means of personal defence is costly – to us and will cost much more to those who are likely to experience litigation as more and more people sue for damages as they suffer through noise.
Those fortunate to have known the tonic quietude of early hours before dawn have experienced the unusually peaceful atmosphere and appreciate its value. Those who have experienced the same but in the desert wilderness with clear skies will have seen the miraculous starry display that adds an additional and indescribable element of beauty.
In the face of the trend in medical thinking, few in the public stop to question the principles that are now in vogue and have been happy to leave to others any discussion of a delicate point such as whether or not we are humane in the methods and treatment of laboratory animals.
The analogy that compared humanity as lemmings hastening to the cliff edge would seem appropriate unless two positive motivations result in changes of action. These involve cessation of the production or creation of the chemical toxic pollutants in our human world and lifestyles and a similar cleansing in our minds and consciousness where thought is the prime mover.
We have really polluted our planet in futile attempts to seek ‘newer’ and ever promising material rewards. This prevailing attitude has led us to an impasse that equally promises us self destruction if we do not cease our addictions – to our own greed for the new and exciting – to chemical drugs both medicinal and ‘recreational’ – to discordant sounds – to ugliness, to violence – to material wealth.
Laboratory animals cannot come into the area of sacrificial creatures as are some human volunteers. Literally millions of animals have for a century or more been abused by suffering all manner of trials and indignities, extraordinary surgical operations and to measure levels of toxicity before drugs and methods are applied to human beings.Reforms within the medical profession are occurring and alternatives being found to obviate the necessity for animal abuse and to rely on superior advance in s
