Talk Cancer

Question:

The Dark Side of PETA To most people the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) seems harmless enough. After all, who could be against treating animals ethically? Besides, any group that relies on pictures of nude celebrities and nude demonstrators can’t be that dangerous, right? If PETA were to have their way, Huntington’s Disease research would be set back decades. In fact, PETA calls HDSA (Huntington’s Disease Society of America) a "Cruel Charity" and asks that people not give them money. Think about that for a moment?PETA is trying to prevent people from donating money to the most prominent voice we have in the HD community. HDSA is a small charity, less than half the size of PETA, that is trying to stop the deaths of thousands of people with Huntington’s Disease and provide support to families dealing with this horrible disease. PETA doesn’t want HDSA to have any money. What does PETA have against Huntington’s Disease research? Because Huntington’s Disease research requires animal testing and PETA is against all animal testing. Their website falsely states: "Such experiments have no practical benefit to anyone." They quote a single doctor who says: " meaningful scientific conclusions cannot be drawn about one species by studying another?" The doctor they quote saying this isn’t some objective researcher, he’s a vegetarian doctor who writes diet books and is the president of the innocent-sounding "Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine" (PCRM). According to ConsumerFreedom.com, the doctor has been involved in activist activities with a man who is a member of the violent animal-rights terrorist group "SHAC" and was once the spokesman for another animal-rights terrorist group "Animal Liberation Front" (ALF). The PCRM is an anti-meat, anti-animal research, and against the use of animals in training doctors. PETA has funneled over $400,000 to the PCRM and according to ActivistCash.com they share offices and staff. The American Medical Association (AMA) says this about the PCRM: "?finds the recommendations of PCRM irresponsible and potentially dangerous to the health and welfare of Americans" and that the AMA "continues to marvel at how effectively a fringe organization of questionable repute continues to hoodwink the media with a series of questionable research that fails to enhance public health."

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree that PETA is an evil organization in many ways, but I have one issue with your article. No where does it address the charage that Huntingtons Disease research is cruel, other than to say it’s not true. Why is it not true? What methods are used in that research to protect the animals being used from unecessary pain and suffering? I don’t think the onus is on HLS to explain why they shouldn’t be terrorized by PETA, ALF, et al, but their website is linked below. They have an extensive section on "Ethical Issues" which contains much more information than you asked for clarification. http://www.huntingdon.com/hls/home/index.html HLS are an open festering sore on the English landscape. Thanks to the stirling work of groups like PETA and many right minded people, their days are numbered. Few English companies will supply them because they do not wish to be associated with their vile crimes against animals. One interesting point on their liesheet they call a website is the page devoted to "Average % of different species" bargraph Rats, mice and other rodents – shown in blue Sheep,cows,pigs and other large animals – also shown in blue. They  also have 6 categories, only four are shown on the graph. I also like the piece about the commitment of HLS to ‘In-Vitro’ research. I received a similar answer from Dr. John (butchers boy) Mercer, he stated that much of his work involved ‘Cell Culture’. Load of bollocks. Also note that they do not employ vivisectionists, they are scientists. They are murdering scumbags of the lowest order. Like all the other bottom of the tank feeders HLS state that they test and perfect drugs for the benefit of mankind. These drugs are marketed at extortionate prices outside the price range of the average consumer. The price of drug companies products are directly responsible for the shortcomings of our own NHS. They torture animals and cheat humans. Little wonder most of their website is devoted to the defense of their vile trade. Another case of Ray being emotional – No-FACTUAL.

second rate diatribe to, btw.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree that PETA is an evil organization in many ways, but I have one issue with your article. No where does it address the charage that Huntingtons Disease research is cruel, other than to say it’s not true. Why is it not true? What methods are used in that research to protect the animals being used from unecessary pain and suffering? I don’t think the onus is on HLS to explain why they shouldn’t be terrorized by PETA, ALF, et al, but their website is linked below. They have an extensive section on "Ethical Issues" which contains much more information than you asked for clarification. http://www.huntingdon.com/hls/home/index.html

"This places an important burden of responsibility upon us one, which we do not take lightly. We have to respect the needs of the animals and be fully aware of the welfare issues involved. We are committed to providing the highest levels of animal husbandry and welfare." How do they accomplish that? "Huntingdon Life Sciences is certified to work with animals in accordance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (UK) and the US Dept. of Agriculture (USA). In compliance with this legislation it is our policy to use the minimum number of animals and to obtain the optimum amount of relevant data." How do they make sure they  meet those criteria? I looked at other sections of the site too. It’s all very vague. -Rubystars

Response:

<… HLS are an open festering sore on the English landscape.

I thought you said Bradford was. <… Like all the other bottom of the tank feeders HLS state that they test and perfect drugs for the benefit of mankind.

That’s what they do. These drugs are marketed

You mean sold. at extortionate

Why do you insinuate any extortion in the equation? prices outside the price range of the average consumer.

Pharmaceutical companies aren’t charities, Ray. The costs associated with research and development have to be paid. So do the costs of all the testing involved before a script can be written for a new drug. If you think NHS is already a boondoggle (and you must since you’ve been wise enough to get on a private scheme), just imagine how much more it would cost to spread the R&D around to all citizens and the research performed by only one agency. Take away the competition between drug companies, and you’d have fewer advances in medicine at a higher price to taxpayers. Get the government out of the whole funding scheme and allow the market for medical care and drugs to restore some sense of equilibrium. The price of drug companies products are directly responsible for the shortcomings of our own NHS.

No, the inefficiencies of government are responsible for NHS’ failure to live up to the goal of providing every Briton with affordable and sufficient care; socialism wasn’t the answer, it was worse than the original problem. There’s no market incentive to keep costs down, only political pressures. Those political pressures also ensure that "sufficient" care remains restrictive, so rationing is a norm in the system. The goal of universal care is laudable, it’s how you seek to accomplish it that determines its long-term viability and success. They torture animals and cheat humans.

Neither. They test on animals before administering to humans. They also have a right to profit from their work — just as you do from yours. Little wonder most of their website is devoted to the defense of their vile trade.

It’s actually a small part of their website. Another case of Ray being emotional – No-FACTUAL.

You were right the first time. Emotional.

Response:

<… HLS are an open festering sore on the English landscape. I thought you said Bradford was.

So it is, but you can have more than one festering sore – take a look at your dick – see? <… Like all the other bottom of the tank feeders HLS state that they test and perfect drugs for the benefit of mankind. That’s what they do.

They do it for the large drug companies who subsequently sell their lousy products at extortionate prices. These drugs are marketed You mean sold.

If you like, but marketed is also correct. at extortionate Why do you insinuate any extortion in the equation?

One example. An antacid – "Andrews Liver Salts" Available over the counter priced at around