U-M should be ashamed for its use of animals in medical training
In response to criticism by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), University of Michigan veterinarian Howard Rush recently stated that the university “[has] nothing to be ashamed of” and that “the care animals receive…is excellent.” It is absurd that Rush, a veterinarian, considers subjecting healthy animals to invasive and even deadly procedures to be a form of “care.” U-M cannot even make the case that harming these animals is unavoidable and for the good of humans. Alternatives that can replace animal use and train competent nurses already exist on U-M’s campus.
I certainly can believe that Rush and the university that pays his salary do not feel any shame for harming animals, but that is quite different than actually having nothing to be ashamed of. To be complicit in the unnecessary deaths of several animals every year would certainly go against my sense of ethics and conscience. It is unfortunate to see a veterinarian complicit in cruelty toward animals by making apologies for his employer.
Joseph A. Varilone Ann Arbor
Comments
Atticus F.
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
Joe V, the problem is, you dont seem to have any respect, or care for the human lives saved by the sacrifice of animals. Let me ask you a question, if someone kills an animal, do you think they should be charged with Murder? If so, your views are completely out of wack in comparison to the rest of the world. Also, do you get upset everytime one animal kills another for food in the natural world? why dont you go out and curse the coyotes and fox that kill squirels and rabbits?
Joe Varilone
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.
I'm not going to argue with you about the animal issue. But I will say a couple things. Jay Jay, you disgust me. You blindly assume that animal rights activists do nothing to advance human rights. Seriously, grow up. For all you know, I may do more than you to feed hungry children, fight domestic violence against women, or other worthy endeavors. You don't see us lifting a finger but you aren't even looking. And amazonwarrior, you are no better. You fail to understand the plight of animals that you don't see with your own eyes. What about animals slaughtered on farms for clothing or food? You imply that I do nothing to help companion animals, but you have nothing to back up your claim. DFSmith, animal rights activists do not assert that the lives of non-human animals are more valuable than human animals. They simply wish to see them treated equally. You would never subject a human to such treatment simply to train a nurse--so why would you do it to animals? That is the issue. Unfortunately, some of the most trivial interests of humans, such as desires for certain foods, come before the most basic interests of animals. Please tell me why you think this is putting animals ahead of humans.
Rork Kuick
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
So far two comments are dangerously close to arguing that a human life is worth more than that of any other animal. You don't need that to be true to argue that using some animals can be justified in some cases such as this example. So stop that, cause lots of people who agree with your conclusion will not nearly agree with that valuation of humans. Yes, that means I think some other animals (grizzlies, blue whales) are on average worth more than humans, largely having to do with how many of each there are. Bottom line though: Cost/benefit is a touchy calculation here. Oversimplifying doesn't help.
DFSmith
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
Here is yet another animal-rights extremist trying to convince us that the lives of animals is more valuable than the lives of human beings.
amazonwarrior
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
If it were not for the excellent medical staff at U of M and St. Joseph's and their TRAINING my mother and several other family members, would not be here! The doctors/nurses had to LEARN these procedures somehow and it can't always be done on a "practice dummy". We love our pets, but I'm curious...how many animals has Mr. Varilone personally rescued from the Humane Society and does he donate any time or money to the organization to help find good homes for the animals? If the use of animals for training medical staff so upsets Mr. Varilone, maybe he should consider volunteering as a test subject.
Jay Jay
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 5:56 a.m.
It is truly hard for me to understand where the wrtier of the article is coming from. It is amazing how PETA and their supporters feel they must impose their views on society as a whole, whether society supports those views or not. That Dr. Rush should speak up and be criticized for what Mr. Varilone does not want to hear is absurd. It is no different than the Christian right trying to impose their views on morality on the nation as a whole. Why can't people simply respect the right of others to think differently? Since when are people's ideas so dangerous we have to "shout" them down? Sorry, but it is time for people to get off the animal kick and put some value behind human life. These animals are not being mistreated. How about all the kids that need homes and do not have them? How about all the kids that need food and don't have it? How about all the kids whose parents are drug addicts or criminals and have abandoned them? I do not see PETA or its supporters lift one finger to help these kids out. Once PETA (and its supporters) begin to show some respect for human life, then maybe I can begin to consider their arguments. Until then, I can only lament that such movements waste their time and money trying to impose their very tiny minority ideas on the majority.
jcj
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
Here we go again! Get over it! The U is not ashamed nor should they be. The ones that should be ashamed are those that put the same or more value on an animals life than a human life! "Alternatives that can replace animal use and train competent nurses already exist on U-Ms campus." This has been addressed by persons that KNOW what they are talking about because they have used both types of training! Take the blinders off.