Animal Experimentation at New York University

Animal Experimentation at New York University

Using animals for medical experimentation and education is a controversial subject that often leads to a heated debate. The issues are complex, but the suffering and waste involved in animal experimentation are painfully obvious. Vivisection, the act of cutting into a live animal, has led the nation down countless scientific dead ends, while detracting funds and attention from more applicable scientific research. The practice of animal experimentation at NYU continues, not because it has been proven to be an accurate and reliable means of research (which it has not) but rather, because of tradition and promotion from those with strong vested interests (i.e. Lynne Kiorpes). These values have caused a number of recent protests and investigations at an institution named New York University.

On October 10, 2000, a protest in Washington Square Park rejuvenated an issue that NYU has been dealing with since late 1997, a debate that the university wrongfully uses Macaque monkeys for scientific research. An excerpt from the University Press read: “Kelly Osborne and Shawnee Alexandri rappelled down the west side of the main building, displaying a huge banner that read, “NYU’s Labs are Making a Killing””(Amon 1). The students claim that the research,

headed by Lynne Kiorpes, tortures baby monkeys and yields no breakthroughs that will save or even improve human lives (Animal Testing Labs Come Under Fire Again 1). Dr. Marjorie Cramer described Lynne Kiorpes’ work as “outdated, using antiquated techniques” (Gazzola 1). Her research was quoted by an editor of the Washington Square News as “insignificant and destructive” (1).

Lynne Kiorpes, head of the research laboratory at New York Unive...

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...mal lab funded by taxpayers. Equally disturbing are NYU’s efforts to punish students and faculty members that have come forward with information on the abuses in the university’s animal laboratories (Finsen 42).

Scientific facts can be taught to medical students by use of demonstrative techniques. New York University’s medical school, which allows students to “practice” on live, healthy animals may be teaching future physicians to be devoid of compassion. Doctors are considered caring individuals, but vivisection during the training process can desensitize them to the pain they cause and teach them to put ethics aside. There is no reason for NYU to use monkeys for the purpose of experimentation and demonstration. Acceptable alternatives are available and should be implemented, saving lives and millions in federal funding, paving the way for a humanitarian society.