The Kind Life

Seriously, they are almost the same as us.  I remember reading this article in National Geographic a while ago that said,  "Scientists have sequenced the genome of the chimpanzee and found that humans are 96 percent similar to the great ape species." Look at how beautiful and amazing and special they are.  Please help me help the monkeys and stop NASA! 



Something so horrible and sad is happening!  NASA is preparing an experiment where they would expose tiny squirrel monkeys to a massive burst of gamma radiation, equal to a three-year journey to Mars and back.  You can read further about this at MSNBC, however, I find it upsetting that they only presented one side of this.  Not once do they bring up the fact that this type of radiation exposure is so dangerous!



They want to test this out on the monkeys so that if there ever is a mission to Mars, they will have an idea about what the long-term exposure to radiation would do to the human pilots (since monkeys are so close to humans). They have done experiments like this before... And have found that gamma radiation can cause depressive behavior, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, open sores, skin hemorrhages, and death. It’s so horrible that they know what the effects are, and they still want to put these monkeys through this.

It's obvious this is so damaging to the system - just look what the EPA has to say about it. "Because of the gamma ray's penetrating power and ability  to travel great distances, it is considered the primary hazard to the general population during most radiological  emergencies. In fact, when the term "radiation sickness"  is used to describe the effects of large exposures in short  time periods, the most severe damage almost certainly results  from gamma radiation." Additionally, NASA even admits that these experiments will more than likely cause cellular damage.  Bottom line, this is VERY bad. 

However, there are non-animal test methods!  In fact, there are many alternative methods that have already been declared scientifically valid. 

NASA is currently conducting research on space radiation using methods that are more humane and scientifically superior to animal experimentation.  In Defense of Animals (IDA) supports the use of Tissue Equivalent Plastic to simulate human skin and monitor its properties on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.  NASA’s anatomical model - Fred the Phantom Torso - is an impressive radiation detector and could be included on Moon and Mars probes as well as the International Space Station.  IDA is also aware that NASA constantly collects data from the radiometric equipment integrated into spaceships and spacesuits.  I hope that NASA will use these innovative methods on future lunar flights and planned lunar base - in an atmosphere that more closely resembles deep space.

For more information on testing methods that don’t involve animals visit the Humane Society or the European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods.

But we can try to stop this!  In Defense of Animals (IDA) and the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) are trying hard to stop NASA from irradiating these monkeys. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)– a lab run by the Department of Energy – is supposed to run the radiation portion of the experiment... But has not decided yet whether or not they will do it.  The experiment is being reviewed by the BNL’s safety, science, and animal welfare committees, so send them a message now and tell them not to run these tests!



You can send them a message by following this link, and telling the Director of BNL and the Secretary of Energy NOT to perform these experiments!


 
We can let them know that we do support their efforts to collect radiation data using modern and humane methods. Especially because animal species differ from one another in so many ways, and it is highly unlikely that animal research will produce results that will be accurate for humans.



Another option is to contact NASA through PCRM's website HERE.
 
Let's try to help save these innocent monkeys!  Post this to your facebook, tweet about it, and email it to everyone you know who would want to help the monkeys.



And if you want to educate yourselves further about animal testing, I recommend looking at these publications offered at In Defense of Animals.

We can make a difference!

UPDATE: If you are looking for more info about this issue, please read Noah Gittel's comments below.  He is a Research and Education Programs Coordinator at PCRM, and he really knows his stuff!

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Hi again Carissa!  Let me understand what you are saying.  Your arguement is that animals & handicapped people are inferior because they cannot do some things that would be considered as "useful" to society.  You think men and women are both superior and inferior to each other so that balances out to equailty.  And you justify hurting another sentient being as acceptable if it is "beneficial to our future" and what you would consider advancing mankind. 

You  maintain that for anyone to be against animal experimentation they need to abstain from using any product or benefit from any knowlege that was was at least partially obtained through the use or testing of what you would consider inferior beings or we are essentially hypocrites.  Do I have that right?  

I think the first fallacy I see in your reasoning is what makes someone useful.  Lets consider the situation in Haiti.  Are the humans who are dying in that country inferior to the animals who possess the capability to survive after a natural disaster?  Does someones inferiority or superiority flucuate with the situation they are in.  Elderly people by your reasoning are inferior to young people since young people possess more "useful" abilities.

Animals are often stronger, faster, have better eyesight and  hearing than humans.  They are usually self-sufficient whereas thorughout history humans have been dependent on using animals to survive.   Which species do you think is the weakest in that scenario?   Does a human's ability to enslave another being make them superior?  I think that leads you back to slavery and when can you ever justifiy that?  



 

Well said, Katie :)
I consider mental health just as relevant as physical health.  Would you not agree that people who are concerned about others live much fuller and satisfying lives than those who surround themselves with shallow endeavors.  The parents of down syndrome children would tell you how their child has enriched their lives.  Is that contribution not as useful as the inventor who gives us  the next technological "advancement"?   

I don't claim to know much about animals.  I live with a few but that just underscores how much I don't know about them. smiley-tongue-out.gif  You have decided they are less useful therefore inferior on what grounds?  Do you not think that individual animals matter to others in their group?  Do you deny the "use" that animals provide in their realtionships with human though friendship, inspiration and observation?  I can't imagine a world without other species and I don't know how we can have this dichotomy where we adore animals one one hand and with the other hand inflict soo much pain on them. 

I don't like your idea of advancement.  I don't think everything we've done has been so great.  I don't think people are so happy now.  I'm not an Oprah fan but I've heard her quote Maya Angelou that when you know better you do better.  I can't change the past and I doubt anything we enjoy now such as drugs, the economy, business and so on has not been touched by some form of abuse to animals, to people of other races or cultures or gender or age but I do know that we know better now and we can do better.  We need to care about those things that don't adversely affect us because maybe they will someday and I want to enjoy the same mercy I'm willing to give.
BTW, if anyone wants to find out more this issue or other issues related to animals in research and education, please email me at: ngittell@pcrm.org

Thanks, and thanks, Alicia, for alerting everyone to this important issue!

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I haven't forgotton anyone! Driving acrossed the country currently - will give full replies when I'm in my new home :)

I want to thank everyone who participated in this discussion, especially the ones who stood up to NASA on behalf of the monkeys. Sometimes I feel like the only one in the world who cares about the treatment of animals - and I pretty much am in my day to day life. Unfortunately, thus far I have only brought incremental change in the lives of the people close to me (in regard to these issues.) The internet is where I see and read about other people who care to be cruelty-free and it means the world to me.

Sent a letter and re-posted this up on my facebook account!
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