Science Fiction v Fact
Oxford University’s website currently has a page entitled FAQ about animal experiments. The page is basically an exercise in misinformation consistent with Oxford University’s past record of disseminating half-truths and lies to mislead the public as to the true nature of their work. The desperate sham that is vivisection is designed to power the illusion that knowledge is being accrued at a fast rate and that cures are being found every day.
In order to perpetuate this lie, and thus ensure the perpetual flow of funding necessary to ensure that the flow and acquisition of “bigged-up” but largely useless data and knowledge continues, the pro-vivisection lobby must (a) mask the fact that vivisection has been around for well over 100 years and still not found cures for the century’s biggest killers, despite promises to the contrary, and (b) ensure a steady flow of money to feed the habit in a self-perpetuating cycle based on the formula: knowledge = power = money.
In the University’s FAQ page, there is an avowed commitment “to the highest standards of animal welfare”. We also read that; “Most research on animals causes little or no discomfort, such as drawing blood samples. Every attempt is made to maximise well-being, and animals are given painkillers and anaesthetics when necessary”. If such is the case, we will all be queuing up to have blood samples taken to save our fellow humans. With the added reassurance that there will be no pain involved in the process!! Evidently we anti-vivisectionists have had it all wrong all these years: vivisection is not about maiming, torturing, killing – it’s about taking blood samples!
When reading Oxford University’s answers, please bear in mind that when the SPEAK campaign was launched, the university described their ‘pet’ (sic) project as an ‘animal hotel’ in which no animal experiments would take place. Please also remember that when challenged, they changed their story to say that 98% of animals used would be rodents. This was rendered null and void by a leading vivisector at the university in an interview with a local newspaper, who stated that “monkeys would be housed in large troops” at the new facility. (These are just one or two examples of the University’s attempts at hoodwinking the public. Further examples are referred to throughout SPEAK’s website).
Instead of having learned that telling lies doesn’t pay, it seems that Oxford University’s record of trying to dupe the public with regard to vivisection stands unbroken with the FAQ on their website. Below are Oxford University’s responses to FAQ. Each question is a link; SPEAK’s responses are highlighted in bold.
How has animal research helped ordinary people?
What is the history of animal research?
Why do we still need animals for research?
But how can experimenting on a mouse lead to cures for humans?
How is animal research controlled?
Surely alternatives are available for all animal research?
Are the animals well looked after?
How many animals are used in the UK each year?
What sorts of animal are used for research?
What is the University of Oxford’s policy on using animals?
You have been asked to “free the Oxford Two”. What are you doing about this?