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About
GGL #7
The title of this GGL speaks for
itself. But for those of you not convinced that banning the use
of animals in experimentation is a practical choice, think forwardly
and embrace the following considerations:
Testing and
blood sports
Laboratories
which continue to use animals for experimentation, either medical,
cosmetic or other use, do so because it is a cheaper alternative
than to invest in technologies based on computer modelling. Computers
are quite capable of simulating the effects of medicines, etc.
on humans... in fact even more precisely than on an animal. Utilizing
the power and potential of modern technology should easily enable
humanity to adopt more ethically based goals... but this doesn't
seem to be the case. The habits and legacies of institutions seem
hard to break. The methods or "sports" that they practice belong
to the evolutionary dustbin of historical embarrassments. Animal
experimentation and blood sports are both part of an old school
mentality, and such "preservation" of cruelty is an
evil and simply moronic act in itself.
It is the same complacent attitude
as we describe in the GGL Fossil Fuel discussion; as long as there
is an easily obtained commodity, available now - for science or
pastime - regardless of how unethical or damaging it may be -
then that commodity will be the common, popular preference. In
the medical and chemicals world researchers conform to the ingrained
principles that animals are cheap and available to test on...
so why bother to develop computer simulation programs that can
achieve the same (even though more precise) results? It just goes
to prove that narrowly focused text book academics can easily
fall short of attaining wisdom and ethical intelligence. These
white coated Dr Frankensteins are too busy trying to win Nobel
prizes and recognition, attempting to find a cure for cancer.
And whilst failing to do so in this way, why should they care
if they butcher a few thousand animals to a slow, uncomfortable
death in the process?... We repeat again, that with time spent
on developing accurate computer programs to simulate all treatments
with new experimental drugs, animals would subsequently not need
to be used. Potential cures for untreatable diseases may well
be forthcoming, as the technology develops relative to the phenomenal
speed that computer calculus constantly accelerates.
There is increasing scope to introduce
arguments on genetics - the book of life - and its role in human
health research. Its ethics and implications and how certain legislative
decisions can re-route the adaptation of human evolution... whether
considered natural or not. The Looking-Glass solar system is evolving
too and we will introduce room for such discussions at a later
time.
Ban fur trading
Even
though the UK government banned fur production in 2002, British
furriers have reported a massive surge in sales. Just as we thought
the unsavoury trend of wearing fur was slowly becoming a thing
of the past, fashion designers have decided to target consumers
with designs laced with dead animals. It's no thanks to a new
generation of insensitive designers and consumers that everyone
from the catwalk to the high street is wearing it again. Young
people have somehow been brainwashed into believing that "Moral
objections about wearing fur are old hat" Even though fake fur
has been perfected to a point where it's almost impossible to
tell the difference, it seems that a new wave of un-compassionate
consumers find humane alternatives of no importance. Sales in
fur have risen by 35% in 2003 alone and are still on the rise.
British traders buy and sell a staggering 50% of the worlds fur
from countries like Denmark. Since fur farming has been outlawed
in the UK, many farmers have simply moved their barbaric practices
to other countries. While designers are firmly set in generating
a demand for fur fashion then trading looks to increase even further
over the coming years.
Racing etc.
This
GGL #7 also covers steeple chasing, and all forms of forced horse
jumping and animal racing which can maim and kill the animals.
Including animals used in hunt sports. In fact anything that exploits
animals, including the use of animals in circuses. You may be
interested to view the VeggieGlobal message to the employees of
hunts (you'll find a link on VeggieGlobals Main Contents page)
Also, see the LGGN
news article on the fate of racing Greyhounds ritually hung after
their "useful" life in Spain.
What
you are voting for...
This
GGL proposes Global
banning of all blood sports, forms of animal racing which cause
suffering, animal experimentation and fur trading.
Your
voting options
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