Deseret News | PETA targeting U. laboratories

Reader comments
PETA targeting U. laboratories

Page:
1
2
Next >

David T Hill DVM | 6:33 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

It is amazing to me how a group that can "skirt" the law, and seems to be a "law unto themselves" , can be given ANY amount of credibility. You can be sure that the so called "evidence" that they do gather in an illegal manner, is carefully edited to dramatically tell their version of the story. The fact that they are in the paper, and not in jail is just playing into their hands. This is a non story, in that the laboratories are inspected consistently with very stringent criteria that must be adhered to. It is PETA's opinion only, as stated in the article, and as such should not have been given so much press (and credibility to the lay person reading the article)

What? | 6:36 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

PETA = People eating tasty animals?

Adam | 6:52 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

How we treat those that cannot defend themselves is a reflection of who we are

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 6:57 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

check out those patent leather shoes that the peta spokeswoman is wearing.

Forget the animals | 7:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Forget the animals, lets test on PETA personal.

jeremy | 7:17 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

I hope a member of PETA doesn't get an illness that could've been prevented by testing.

Research Scientist | 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

"violation of federal guidelines in the treatment of lab mice"? Are you kidding me?

Typical liberal thinking to put the life of vermin above that of a human being.

It's about time | 7:40 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Thanks to the brave "employee" who exposed this. Most people like to pretend it is not happening. It's cool that PETA takes a chance for those who don't have a voice. Thank you again

Anonymous | 7:55 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

The ethics of science gives multiple reasons why the humane treatment of research animals is important, including providing accurate tests. Einstein commented that a society could perhaps be judged by how they treated animals. PETA has demonstrated inappropriate treatment to these animals according to the laws of science and the state... thank you.

Red | 8:01 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

RS - Nowhere in the article is it stated that the life of so called "vermin" be placed above that of humans, but that the animals in question at least get proper care and attention while they are in the lab being tested on. The article claims that there are medical maladies that are being ignored, and further, that the animals aren't even getting the proper amount of nutrition or vetrinary care that they deserve. While PETA certainly is a sketchy enterprise, this article does have a point - whether the research is true or not is another matter entirely - that is if animals are going to be used for lab testing then they should at least not suffer more than is necessary.

Jeremy - the problem with animal testing that unfortunately doesn't get mentioned enough is that, while the advancement of human health is of course very important, dogs, mice, chimps, etc. have completely different immunities than we do, so what might not be a problem for a mouse might cause a huge reaction for me or you (or the complete reversal in a lot of cases).

Devin | 8:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Did you see the monkey? He had holes cut into his head, titanium pins screwed into his skull, and an aluminum head restraint device attached so that he could be immobilized in a restraint chair with his head locked into place. the monkey was kept constantly thirsty so that he would cooperate with experimenters in exchange for a few drops of water.

I highly doubt they cured some horrible disease while torturing this monkey.

Geez | 8:21 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Do you think getting holes drilled into their heads is proper treatment for any animal? Quit making excuses for brutality.

Dave | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

OK alarmists. Let's all get in line to wring our hands over the monkey with titanium pins in his head. This procedure is not at all unusual for humans when they have head injuries. Frankly I don't have much faith in or sympathy for PETA. They don't exhibit much care for domestic mink when they illegally release them into the wild!

Research Scientist | 9:53 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

If your kid is dying of a chronic illness you will kill some rats, mice, beagles or whatever it takes to develop new drugs that may cure your child.

Is PETA willing to tell the parents of a diabetic child getting insulin injections 6-8 times per day that research on breakthrough drugs must stop because of animal testing?

There are millions of HUMANS out there that are in that predicament. Simple fact is, without animal testing we cannot have medical advancement. PETA puts the value of animals above that of humans. That's just crazy!

Joe Moe | 10:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

I do agree that, on the whole, the fact that they could have undercover work for about eight months, on about 50,000 animals at any given time, and this is the worst they could get, is a relatively good sign.

On the other hand, as much as I disagree with some of PETA's tactics and stands, we DO need to be conscientious of what we are doing with animals. Unnecessary or extreme cruelty is not befitting the medical arts.

cartman | 10:23 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Dr. Hill: You are a veterinarian? Yikes. Do you think drilling holes into the head of a monkey, screwing pins into its head and withholding water is OK? And this furthers science? Just because we do not hold Ph.D.'s doesn't mean we are stupid. PETA's methods might be extreme, but the organization reveals ugly truths that we as a society must face. Noted primate scientist, Dr. Jane Goodall, has spoken out against much animal research as redundant.
I will no longer donate money to the University of Utah's health care research system. Thank you PETA for the wake-up call.

??? | 12:16 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

When did animals earn the right to be treated like (or better) than humans?

J. Nichols, CVT | 2:16 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

You should all be ashamed of yourselves in that you are taking the side of some over-dramatic people that are attention whores. You have no idea how important animal research is. 5 months ago I had a brain tumor removed at the U and it saved my life, thanks to the animal research that led to the knowledge of my medical team. I work with animals everyday in a veterinary clinic and have a great passion for animals; even I can see the importance of animal research. If it is so important to all of you that it discontinues I suggest you lay yourselves on the operating room table and let them learn on you. In the mean time I will continue to support the people being accused and as a student I also plan to take part in the research. You all have benefited and haven't got the open mind to realize it...

dj | 2:50 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

My thought is that when PETA pulls things like releasing mink into the wild and condemning the president for swatting a fly, they seriously reduce their credibility.

And I don't understand something, does PETA not want animals to be gathered from shelters? Why not?

to ??? | 2:52 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Adam's quote (about third from the top) explains the reason for your question quite well.

Rynn | 5:45 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who donate their time or money to both animal charities and human charities.

The idea that you have to neglect one group for the sake of the other is foolish.

I believe there's room... | 5:52 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

...for all of God's creatures here on earth. Right next to the mashed potatoes.

S2 | 6:59 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Heh, in answer to ??? and the question about when animals are treated better - check Obama's advisors - one who thinks animals should be able to sue humans.

"Stomp three times" if you want to sue.

"Blink" to name your assailant.

"If you eat this milk bone, that means you appoint me to be your lawyer, and to spend any judgement."

Kind of makes the tort lawyers look.....human?

Bone | 7:17 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Cartman, you probably never donated money to them in the first place. How do you propose this testing be done? On people? Maybe you should volunteer or maybe Ms Guillermo perhaps? What do you say?

Anonymous | 7:35 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Funny thing is, Im a staunch conservative, but have to agree with PETA on this one. (I actually hate PETA)
But, Ive never understood the way we look at life. ALL life is sacred, and should be treated as such. Do I eat beef? Yes I do. But I think about the life that was taken every time I take a bite. Seriously.
The idea that I see here in southern Utah, that if something is moving, shoot is is simply evil.

Is Human life more important than mice? Of course!
But with being human, comes the a basic responsibility to be decent to lesser forms.

I remember a story about David O. Mckay, walking on the beach on day. He chastised a person that was chasing the birds just for fun. He was a really decent man.

Religious people should, of all people, be more gentle, kind and decent when it comes to life than any heathen. For the most part, I see PETA as heathens. They would be the first to abort a baby..
Save the Whale , kill the baby. weird huh?
Lets rethink the way we think about life.

slgs5 | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I have to stop and wonder about just one point. Why is the U not being praised for getting the animals from the shelter? How is that not a good thing? Especially when they are paying for the animals, and animals that would probably be put down anyway. So for there efforts they are helping to fund the animal shelters which are in bad need of money, and finding a good use of animals that would otherwise be put to waste. I think that shows wisdom.

Matthew | 8:02 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I'm glad the U is looking into the allegations, it can't hurt. I'm hoping that they find they are all baseless (for the sake of the animals). That is likely, since PETA has ZERO credibility. Their ethics are incomprehensible to me. So many contradictions combined with valuing animals above humans. Kindness an compasion toward animals is one thing, PETA's world view is something else altogether.

Ranking | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Whenever there is a PETA story we are given one side.
PETA is a extremist group that wants humans to be equal with animals. That's ridiculous. Experimentation is not done on animals to be cruel, it is to help protect we humans. I agree with a previous post, why give them so much credibility?
Animals are for the benefit and use of man, not to be cruel, but to BENEFIT.

Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Please... don't let your hatred for PETA over take your critical thinking skills. I’m not a big fan of PETA but if half of this is true then something needs to be done. No one is trying to take away the research... let’s just make sure the animals they use are treated with kindness.

Liberals vs. Liberals | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

This ought to be cute! On a more serious note, that monkey story was hilarious!!! All animals can go get eaten.

peta | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

PETA seems more like a terrorist group then anything to me.
The leaders get young kids to do their dirty work and then sit back while the kids go to jail/prison.
I saw a show on PETA, by Penn and teller, in the show they said that something like 90% of the animals that are saved/stolen by Peta are put in a deep freezer and killed.
The humane society is the true group the protects animals from abuse.
Many people do not know that the humane society was actually the first group to prevent child abuse. They protected mary jane by arguing that she was a member of the animal kingdom and deserved the same humane protections that we give farm animals.
If you really care about animals join the humane society.
In My opinion PETA is just the front group to the ALF

Hey Peta | 9:21 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

For every animal you DONT eat, I'm going to eat THREE

Anonymous | 9:27 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Another example of liberals' minds being all twisted. It's perfecty fine to kill an unborn baby, but heaven forbid someone kill a mouse while trying to find cures for diseases.

Dog gone it. | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Round up the evil Pit Bulls and let them torture them the way they cause agony or death/injury to humans. There is a species I think should be tortured.

I Love Animals Too! | 10:15 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

They're delicious!!!

Re: cartman | 10:37 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Don't donate to the University of Utah's health care research system ... Just donate to a new football stadium ... they are getting good enough to support the rest. FYI - The new stadium needs to hold 70-90K. Don't you think we could attract more local fans than BYU? That is how you become a national power. :)

Society | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

It is interesting to me that we will give our terrorists the right to sue the U.S. simply because some liberal judge feels that "we did them wrong". PETA is needed but I feel they overstep their power just to gain more power. It's a good thing that PETA didn't exist when Pavlov and Dr. Watson made their discoveries. PETA should be regulated.

Zadruga Guy | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

The U's turncoat employee violated the terms of employment s/he entered into when the U hired him or her. If in fact the employee believed that people at the U were failing to follow appropriate guidelines, then s/he should have pursue the whistleblower policies that the U has, so that the attention of senior U leaders could have been drawn to the allegations.

Trial by press conference is not the way to constructively get problems corrected.

ManBearPig | 11:03 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Many of you are being blinded by your hatered for what you view as an extreme, liberal organization. As a conservative, meat eating, pet owner, I encourage you not to do so. Perhaps they are right about something here and animals are being mistreated.

Do you really want these animals to suffer? I scanned the article quickly and may have missed it, but I didn't see that PETA was saying there should be no animal testing. They are saying - it is bad enough that the animals are being tested, shouldn't their hardship be minimized as much as possible? What is wrong with that?

SLH in Provo | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I'm so grateful that PETA is willing to speak for the animals who can't speak for themselves. Thank you, PETA, for uncovering the horrible abuses to animals the world over.

I don't eat animals or animal products, and I don't preach about it. If people ask me why I'm a vegan, I'm happy to explain why. I don't think that people who eat meat or animal products are bad people. I wish that they would show me the same courtesy.

Anonymous | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Every time I see a PETA story I go and eat a steak. They are tasty.

Tastes like Chicken | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Last night we did a animal experiment on a rattle snake and had a family snake bake- Texas style.

JB | 12:23 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I'm all for the proper and appropriate care of animals. If the animals are being "mistreated" in a way that is not necessary for the research being done, then that mistreatment should stop. HOWEVER, animals are not people and are not equal to people.

Which brings to mind one of my soapboxes - adoption is for CHILDREN, not animals. I do not adopt a pet, I buy a pet. When children are adopted, they legally become part of the adopting family as completely as if they had been born into that family. When animals are acquired, they are still animals; they may be beloved by their owners (who are NOT their daddies and mommies), but they are still animals, not family members.

There, I feel better now!

Anonymous | 12:29 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

So who was PETA speaking for when they got busted for dumping dogs in the trash bins?

Digbads | 12:41 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

PETA is pure evil.

RS | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

When an animal gets a law degree, and can defend himself in court, then I'll believe that animals have rights.

BH | 1:35 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

An open letter to PETA:

to use an old phrase, I am sorry, but I cannot hear what you are saying, for your actions are ringing so loud in my ears.

So, PETA, help us get this straight. You are strongly condemning the actions of the research labs at UofU because they have not followed the laws of the land. So, you are calling upon them to be in compliance.

But at the same time PETA has strongly defended illegal actions of it's members as justified because of the cause.

Supposed illegal actions on the part of UofU may have made animals suffer. Illegal actions on the part of PETA have put human lives in danger.

When you, PETA members, can come back to the bargaining table with clean hands and a firm commitment to cease and condemn any further illegal actions, then you deserve our attention. Until then, they have no credibility.

Larry | 2:28 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Please NOTE the Sarcasim in these remarks.
How could you expect all of these warm blooded Animals to be treated properly ???????
It is a good thing some of these people actually live on their computer.

Jason | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I HATE PETA anything bad that can be said or done to PETA please do so!!!!

Anonymous | 4:21 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009

Animals are for eating, if they weren't they wouldn't be so tasty.

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.