Vivisection
1. DEFINITION
The Macquarie Dictionary defines vivisection as: (1)
i)“The practice of subjecting living animals to cutting operations, especially in order to advance physiological and pathological knowledge”.
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Psalm 36:6
“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD”.
3. ARGUMENTS FOR VIVISECTION
·Animal research has played a vital role in medical advances.
·It can be for the benefit of humans and animals.
·Animal organs and systems help us understand the physiological and genetic areas of the human body.
·Animal research has resulted in human life saving immunisations against polio, diphtheria, mumps, rubella and hepatitis.
·It has also provided life saving vaccinations for animals such those that protect against rabies, distemper, parvo virus and infectious hepatitis . (2)
For more information please visit:
http://www.fbresearch.org/about/position.htm
4. ARGUMENTS AGAINST VIVISECTION
·It is morally wrong to harm animals for the benefit of humans.
·It is wrong to make animals suffer.
·Animals suffer physically and mentally.
·Animals are not given a choice because they cannot say no.
·We cannot expect the same result in humans from tests on animals.
·Diseases will be cured sooner if we do not use animals to test on . (3)
For more information please visit:
http://www.navs.org
5. NSW LEGISLATION
Animal Research Act 1985 No 123 (4)
·According to Section 2A the purpose of this act is to “protect the welfare of animals used in connection with research by requiring persons or organisations carrying out animal research or supplying animals for research to be authorised under this Act and by regulating the carrying out of animal research and the supply of animals for research by those persons or organisations”.
·Authorisations that are granted through this Act have to be for recognise research purposes. This includes “purposes involving the use of animals for research, teaching, testing and the production of biological products”.
·Section 4 states that regulations “may prescribe a Code of Practice with respect to the conduct of animal research and the supply of animals for use in connection with animal research”.
·Section 6 of this Act establishes the Animal Research Review Panel, which consists of twelve members appointed by the Minister .
If you would like to read more of this Act please visit:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/scanact/inforce/NONE/0
6. HOW TO ACT
a) To support vivisection on animals:
·Donate money to the Foundation for Biomedical Research:
https://secure5.webfirst.com/fbresearch.org/donation/donation1.cfm
·Study the benefits of animal research and tell others.
·Purchase products that support animal research:
b) To oppose vivisection on animals:
·Donate to the National Anti Vivisection Society:
http://navs.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=DonationsSplash
·Buy products that are cruelty free and refuse to purchase those that are animal tested.
·Study the cruelty to animals through animal research and tell others.
·Print out the leaflet at this website and show others:
http://www.animallib.org.au/lists/viv/viv.shtml
·Purchase products that support animal rights:
http://shop.animal-lib.org.au/
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Animal Liberation NSW:
http://www.animal-lib.org.au/
Foundation of Biomedical Research:
http://www.fbresearch.org/about/position.htm
NAVS, The National Anti Vivisection Society:
http://www.navs.org
Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Animal Research Act 1985 No 123: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/scanact/inforce/NONE/0
Preece, R. (2003) Darwinism, Christianity and the great vivisection debate, Journal of the history of ideas, July 2003
Thomas, D. (2005) The ethics of research involving animals: a review of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report from an antivivisectionist perspective, Atla-Alternatives to laboratory animals, December, 2005
(1) Macquarie Dictionary, “vivisection”, Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library.
(2) All points in section 3 from: Foundation of Biomedical Research, Animal Research Saves Lives: http://www.fbresearch.org/about/position.htm
(3) All points in section 4 from: NAVS, The National Anti Vivisection Society:
http://www.navs.org
(4) All points in Section 5 from: Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Animal Research Act 1985 No 123: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/scanact/inforce/NONE/0