|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 28, 2011 -- VANCOUVER, BC - For the first time UBC has released some details about its animal research, including data on the numbers and types of animals used in experiments. The UBC data released today, and which can be reviewed here http://www.animalresearch.ubc.ca/animal-species-2010.html, reveals that in 2010, "211,764 animals have been involved in 982 research protocols in 2010." That number is far higher than previously thought. Stop UBC Animal Research, an animal advocacy group that has filed a number of freedom of information requests to the university, said today's release of information was a good first step but not nearly enough for the public to fully assess UBC's animal research programs.
"While we are encouraged UBC has released some information, the university continues to withhold critical details about its extensive animal research progams," said Brian Vincent, Director of Stop UBC Animal Research. "UBC has taken a first step towards more transparency. But the university needs to provide far more information to allow the public to fully evaluate its experiments on animals."
The animal rights group said UBC should release more specific information including:
*Data on species of animals used in research. While UBC released data that includes "type" of animal it does not specify species of animal.
*Research protocols
*Funding sources to determine how much is taxpayer funded and how much is paid for by corporate interests
*Necropsy and veterinary reports
*Lab inspection reports
*Any citations of animal care violations at UBC
"UBC prides itself on promoting critical thinking, openess, and public discourse. Why, then, is it so tight-lipped about its animal research?" asked Vincent. "What is the university trying to hide?"
More information can be found online at http://stopubcanimalresearch.org/
|
|
|
Ad reads: “Imagine having your body left to science…while you’re still in it.”
VANCOUVER, BC – This week, Stop UBC Animal Research ran a provocative, eye-catching half-page ad in two University of British Columbia publications to bring attention to UBC’s experiments on animals (Click here to view the ad). The ad – published in UBC’s new student handbook and the UBYSSEY newspaper – shows a non-human primate screaming and confined to a lab restraint chair and reads: “Imagine having your body left to science…while you’re still in it.”
|
|
Animal rights group spurs UBC to review disclosure policy (TheThunderbird.ca, October 22, 2011)
Trauma-medicine courses end use of live animals (MontrealGazette.com, October 20, 2011)
UBCO students articulate animal rights emotions (Kelowna Capital News, October 11, 2011)
STOP UBC Animal Research influences similar campaigns across Canada (Ubyssey.ca, October 10, 2011)
His Mission: STOP animal research (The Squamish Reporter, October 8, 2011)
UBCO students publish animal rights magazine (AM1150, October 8, 2011)
UBC animal rights activists expand campaign (Canadian University Press, October 7, 2011)
The Ubyssey Weekly Show [Oct. 3rd 2011]: Stop animal research branches out, Judith K. Preview (youtube.com/user/TheUbyssey, October 2, 2011)
(Story starts about minute into video.)
Last Words: September 22, 2011 edition (Ubyssey.ca, September 20, 2011)
Animal research is a crime against humanity (Straight.com, September 20, 2011)
Toope talks housing, transit and copyright at annual town hall (Ubyssey.ca, September 20, 2011)
|
|
Vancouver, BC (July 12, 2011) – Today, the North American branch of the major cosmetic company, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, announced it had awarded a substantial grant to Stop UBC Animal Research – a local group dedicated to ending animal experiments at the University of British Columbia (UBC). LUSH – which has over 750 stores in over 45 countries – said it decided to fund the animal advocacy organization because the group’s efforts fit with the company’s policy against animal testing. The LUSH grant will go toward Stop UBC Animal Research’s public education and outreach campaigns and provide critical organizational support.
“LUSH is proud to provide Charity Pot funding to this groundbreaking campaign,” said LUSH’s Charitable Givings Ambassador, Pearl Gottschalk. “We believe in the importance of this campaign to further the protection of animals and to put an end to animal cruelty in Canadian Universities.”
Every year, Canadian institutions, including UBC, conduct thousands of experiments involving animals, including on pigs, mice, cats, monkeys, and others. Many of the experiments are highly invasive and painful. Most of the research is conducted with little public scrutiny. Stop UBC Animal Research has argued that animal research is at odds with Canadians’ sense of compassion. In addition, the group contends animal research can be hazardous to human health because results from such experiments are often misleading, divert resources from more effective, non-animal alternatives, and ignore the root causes of illness.
LUSH, which has a formal policy against animal testing, says it funded Stop UBC Animal Research because the company believes animal research is both inhumane and scientifically indefensible.
LUSH Campaigns Manager, Brandi Halls, said, “As a BC-based business, we were horrified to learn about the animal testing that was taking place in our own backyard. We hope the Charity Pot funding will help raise awareness about the unnecessary testing that is taking place at UBC and bring an end to it altogether.”
“We are grateful to LUSH for its support of our campaign and commitment to raising awareness about UBC’s experiments on animals,” said Brian Vincent, Director of Stop UBC Animal Research. “LUSH is a shining example of how companies can blend compassion with business.”
LUSH North America offers over 300 luxurious, ethical, and indulgent bath and beauty products made by hand with fresh, organic ingredients. All of the company’s products are 100% cruelty-free, vegetarian and 81% vegan. Formulated by experts in natural cosmetics, LUSH products are environmentally-friendly, minimally preserved, and minimally packaged.
|
|
WHAT: On Saturday, May 28, Stop UBC Animal Research will stage a funeral at the UBC Alumni Weekend to mourn the lives of all the animals committed against their will to experimentation, including four Rhesus monkeys currently being used in Parkinson's research. Animal advocates will gather as mourners at UBC where the group will hold a memorial service for the animals. Stop UBC Animal Research members will be dressed in black funeral attire, wearing veils, holding white lilies and carrying enlarged photos of animals used in research. There will also be caskets with the UBC Grim Reaper hovering over them. The animal rights organization will also read a list of animals used in research at UBC in memory of the tens of thousands lost each year and deliver a eulogy for the animals. Some Stop UBC Animal Research members will begin "wailing" at specific times to show the sorrow and loss the group feels for their animal friends.
WHEN: 1-4PM, Saturday May 28
WHERE: Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, UBC. Click here for directions.
VISUALS: Protesters dressed for a funeral, including wearing black, veils, and hats; the Grim Reaper; caskets with stuffed animals inside; tombstones; lilies; enlarged photos of animals used in research; protest signs that read “Stop UBC Animal Research,” “Animal research at UBC breaks hearts,” “We mourn the 100,000 animals killed at UBC each year,” "UBC buries the truth about animal research," “UBC animal cruelty is not ‘science.’”
WHY: Every year, UBC conducts thousands of experiments involving animals, including on pigs, mice, cats, monkeys, and others. Many of the experiments are highly invasive and painful. Most of the research is conducted with little public knowledge or scrutiny. To date, UBC has refused to provide Stop UBC Animal Research with any information about its animal experiments, including details about the fate of the four monkeys used in Parkinson's research. Saturday’s protest is part of Stop UBC Animal Research’s campaign to end animal research at the university. |
|
|
