The Big Debate: Animals in Experiments at Cambridge University

30 October at 7:00-9:00pm (subject to change)
Venue: Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BA
Hosted by Cambridge Young Greens

The University of Cambridge is notorious for its extensive use of animals in experiments. Last year alone, the University used nearly 170,000 animals in research – that’s over 450 every day (Home Office, 2014).

The animals used range from mice, rats, guinea pigs and fish to larger mammals like sheep, horses and primates.

The Cambridge Young Greens are hosting this iconic event which will see opposing scientists and political campaigners debate the issues surrounding the use of animals in experiments. It’s the first time something like this has taken place at Cambridge University outside of the student body…a real moment in history!

Is using animals a vital part of University research? Is it ever acceptable to use another being for scientific progress? Our panelists seek to outline their own perspectives on these questions…

The Panelists are:

FOR the use of animals –

Dr Stefano Plucino MD, PhD – Cambridge University Lecturer in Brain Repair. Honorary Consultant in Neurology. Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Initiative. Has used primates and rodents in his research, with a particular interest in central nervous system degenerative diseases like MS
http://www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?pluchino

Tom Holder BA Politics, Philosophy & Economics – Campaigns Manager at Understanding Animal Research. Founder of the campaign groups Pro-Test and Speaking of Research, which advocate the use of animals in scientific research
http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/

AGAINST the use of animals –

Dr Andre Menache BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS – Scientific Adviser for the Anti-Vivisection Coalition and CEO of Antidote Europe. Dr Menache currently sits on two animal ethics committees in Geneva and Belgium.
http://antidote-europe.org/en/

Dr Caroline Allen MA, VetMB, CertSAM, MRCVS – Clinical Director for a group of Veterinary Surgeons in London. Spokesperson and Policymaker for the Green Party’s animal issues.
http://london.greenparty.org.uk/elected-greens/caroline-allen.html

—

We look forward to this exciting and historic event – please share widely and prepare questions!
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/animaldebate

Barry Horne Memorial Protest – Cambridge Uni

On Tuesday, 5 November 2013 at 11:00 am, Animal Rights Cambridge will be holding a memorial protest to remember animal rights activist Barry Horne and to raise public awareness of the cruel experiments that Cambridge Uni perform on primates and other animals. The event will start outside the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Check our Facebook page for further information.

The fight is not for us, not for our personal wants or needs. It is for every animal that has ever suffered and died in the vivisection labs, and for every animal that will suffer and die in those same labs unless we end this evil business now. The souls of the tortured dead cry out for justice, the cry of the living is for freedom. We can create that justice and we can deliver that freedom. The animals have no-one but us, we will not fail them. — Barry Horne 1955-2001

At The Gates Of Hell!

Cruelty in your Lab? For advice phone: 0845 4580630

On the 22nd Oct 2010 around 20 activists gathered at the gates of hell (Huntingdon Life Sciences) to protest the cruelty and abuse that the lab is responsible for in the name of things like toothpaste, household products and sweetener.

A smaller group of protesters also reportedly visited Babraham after the HLS protest. The protest came after more campaigners were jailed for their involvement in the lawful campaign to close down HLS once and for all.

24 Hour Vigil for Pat in Cambridge

Campaigners from Animal Rights Cambridge held a 24-hour vigil calling for an end to Cambridge vivisection. The action commemorates Pat Griffin’s activism on behalf of other animals. Pat, co-founder of Animal Rights Cambridge (originally known as Animal Aid Cambridge), died on 26th June 2009.

The campaigners called for an end to animal experiments at Cambridge University, Addenbrookes, Huntingdon Life Sciences and at Babraham. In the lab animals are isolated, starved, burned, blinded, poisoned and irradiated. The laboratory is a sterile, non-stimulating environment that prevents animals from displaying natural behaviours – if this was happening outside of a lab it would be considered illegal animal cruelty.

For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.

Henry Beston, The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod

Pat was particularly interested in campaigning against the animal research conducted at the University of Cambridge. She was committed, caring and always there when the animals needed her. Her life, full of compassion and dedication was, and remains, an inspiration to us all. We are calling on the University and all animal researchers in Cambridge to end the use of these cruel, unnecessary and misleading ‘animal model’ tests and, instead, use the funds for modern, human-relevant research.