① To paraphrase 18th-century statesman Edmund Burke, “all that is needed for the triumph of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing.” ② One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights ruling out their use in research. ③ Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates, whose arguments are confusing the public and thereby threatening advances in health knowledge and care. ④ Leaders of the animal rights movement target biomedical research because it depends on public funding, and few people understand the process of health care research.⑤ Hearing allegations of cruelty to animals in research settings, many are perplexed that anyone would deliberately harm an animal.
① For example, a grandmotherly woman staffing an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was distributing a brochure that encouraged readers not to use anything that comes from or is tested in animals一no meat, no fur, no medicines.② Asked if she opposed immunizations, she wanted to know if vaccines come from animal research.③ When assured that they do, she replied, “Then I would have to say yes.” ④ Asked what will happen when epidemics return, she said, “Don’ t worry, scientists will find some way of using computers.” ⑤ Such well-meaning people just don’ t understand.
① Scientists must communicate their message to the public in a compassionate, understandable way一in human terms, not in the language of molecular biology. ② We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmother * s hip replacement, a father * s bypass operation, a baby’ s vaccinations, and even a pet’ s shots.③ To those who are unaware that animal research was needed to produce these treatments, as well as new treatments and vaccines, animal research seems wasteful at best and cruel at worst.
① Much can be done.② Scientists could “adopt” middle school classes and present their own research.③ They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor, lest animal rights misinformation go unchallenged and acquire a deceptive appearance of truth.④ Research institutions could be opened to tours, to show that laboratory animals receive humane care. ⑤ Finally, because the ultimate stakeholders are patients, the health research community should actively recruit to its cause not only well-known personalities such as Stephen Cooper, who has made courageous statements about the value of animal research, but all who receive medical treatment.⑥ If good people do nothing, there is a real possibility that an uninformed citizenry will extinguish the precious embers of medical progress.
