Reader: Vegetarianism, anti-vivisection both stem from a compassionate choice Scott Harrah, in both his review of the “Animal Liberation” LP (Daily Nebraskan, Oct. 29) and his recent column (DN, Nov. 2), tries to separate the arguments for vegetarianism from the arguments against vivisection. His fatalist attitude assumes that animals must suffer for the benefit of human ity; Guest Opinion In doing so, he misses the entire point of animal rights activists who feel that animals should not be used/ abused in any way by humans. This includes using them for food, as sub jects in experiments and for luxury garments such as furs. Harrah claims that vegetarianism and anti-vivisec tionist sentiments “are hardly cogent doppclgangers,” basing this on the claims that “vegetarianism is a per sonal choice” and that vivisection is “traditional and necessary.” Tradition should never be used to justify the status quo. As to the neces sity of vivisection, that shall be cov ered later in this letter. However, the crux of the matter is that vegetarian and anti-vivisectionist sentiments are indeed linked. A person who puts some value on the life of an animal recognizes the links between all forms of what he/she sees as the exploitation of animals. If vegetarianism is a per sonal choice, then the respect of ani mal life as a whole is also a personal choice — one based on compassion. And it is because animals have no choice in their use by humans that humans should exercise that choice. If we are truly “superior” to animals, should we not demonstrate that supe riority by respecting animal life? Vivisection can be divided into two realms — medical and cosmetic test ing. In neither case can it be seen as “necessary.” i Regarding medical experimenta tion, Harrah defers to traditional and vague questions for justification. There are two ideas to consider here. The abolition of all medical experi mentation upon animals I do not think is currently feasible. However, it is imperative that humans adopt a for ward-looking mindset and begin de veloping alternatives to the use of animals in medical research. In schools and labs, models, charts and computer designs have begun replacing the use of animals, but fur ther progress is needed. In fact,animal experimentation isnotinfallible,as no animal has bodily processes similar to those of humans. Flenac, Opren, Osmosin, Zomac and Eraldin are among the drugs that were withdrawn from the marketaftcr causing serious illness and death among humans after having been declared safe after animal experimen tation (“Cured to Death,” Melvill and Johnson). A more familiar example involves the thousands of so-called Ihalidomidc babies. Thalidomide was administered to pregnant women after extensive animal testing. Al though declared safe based on that research, the use of Thalidomide re sulted in thousands of deformed ba bies until the drug was recalled. As a whole, then, vivisection is neither dependable nor necessary. The other aspect of vivisection involves the cosmetic industry, which regularly blinds, maims and kills. Harrah follows the industry’s justifi cation, claiming that if we do not harm all these animals, humans who use cosmetics will suffer. Surely computer designs and other alterna tives based on existing animal re search could be developed. In the meantime, current means of duplica tive testing need to be eliminated. The industry currently depends jpon the Draize and LD-50 tests in the levelopmcnt of new products. Both ests are appalling and unreliable, jiving some hope for the future, the EPA now discourages the use of the -D-50 test and relies on computer analyses of chemical structure. New methods such as the “up-down limit test” and in vitro testing have given scientists “a precision totally ade quate to our purposes,” according to a Procter and Gamble Co. toxicologist quoted in Newsweek. As new, reli able methods are developed, should we not adopt them and spare animals needless suffering? Concerning vegetarianism, Har rah writes, “Cattle, pork, and poultry are all raised to be slaughtered and consumed by humans, we’ve been eating animals since prehistoric times.” The existence of an ethically inferior lifestyle does not justify the lifestyle itself. Not too many years ago in this country, slaves were bred and sold for whatever ends suited white people. White people, who considered themselves “superior,” saying that “it has always been this way, so it must be right” is simply ridiculous. Humans have progressed to a point where ve arc capable of exercising moral judgment in a changing world. In this, we are facilitated by the ever advancing realm of technology. Technology has brought humanity to a point where we need to re-evaluate our moral choices. Human life need no longer depend on animal life for sustenance. On a global scale, human ity could benefit tremendously from the gradual transition into a vegetar ian diet. Moreover, technology has has brought humanity the ability to end or greatly reduce the use of ani mals in medical and cosmetic testing. Thus humanity now has the ability to reject the fatalistic notion that ani mals must suffer for the benefit of humans. Think of how the animals feel. Bryan Peterson sophomore ph i losophy/psychology —- - | BASKIN (|M) ROBBINS j j TREAT A FRIEND! j Buy (me get one free ... ,'j^\ This coupon entitles you or a friend to a 75<* cone FREE! , If you purchase a 75~ 0°o° °^00 Now at Chesterfield's BURGER BUCK'S FECIAL! Tuesdays & Sundays I Order now and wear your ring at graduation Your Herff Jones representative will be on campus this Thurs and Fri Nov 19th and 20th at the University Bookstore (City Campus) from 8:30 am-5 pm This special sale price is good through Fri., Dec 18, 1987. HERFF JONES Lower Level Nebraska Union r.~.v./.-wryGarden Level Hast Union IT’S BACK! THE CURE FOR YOUR DOUBLE PIZZA EMERGENCY. 4 2 FER $10.99 Once again, enjoy two specially made Godfather’s Pizzas for a very low price. The Super Pepperoni, loaded with pepperoni and The Four Topper, with onions, green peppers, beef and pepperoni. Double your chances of total recovery today, The 2-fer Special at Godfather’s Pizza. Offer ends 11-29-87. 112th & Q. 474-6000 46th &. Vine 466-8264 48th &. Hwy. 2 483-4129