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Test animals suffer too Dear Sir: Every year in Canada thousands of animals used in research are subjected to pain and distress. At the very least, they suffer mental distress; at worst, they endure agony and slow death. The common justification for, inflicting such suffering on animals is that the experiments will eventually result in "benefits to mankind."' But how on earth can exposing dogs to massive doses of nuclear radiation, an experiment recently announced by Canada's Department of National Defence (DND), ever benefit mankind? Surely, under the circumstances which would exist after a nuclear holocaust, there would be no one left to benefit! For the most part, the medical and scientific communities in Canada have tightened up con- siderably in recent years on experiments which subject animals to unnecessary pain and suf- fering. Twenty years ago there was very little formal restriction on the use of animals in research. Today, although we have by no means reached a desirable level, most of Canada's universities have animal care committees to review and monitor experiments using animals. In Ontario, such experimentation must meet the requirements of the Animals for Research Act. The DND, however, has always assumed the right to do whatever it chooses in the interest of 'national security." Thus we have the dog irradiation experiments. Surely this kind of "idiot test'? demonstrates the need for an independent National Review Board for Animal Experimentation. It should comprise representatives of the legitimate humane movement (excluding, of course, the lunatic fringe), health organizations, and other bodies with an interest in the overall problem. Such an independent review board would be required to review all experiments which propose to involve animals, and would have final say on whether such research would be allowed to proceed. The DND would be required to submit its proposals to this review board in just the same way as any other research facility or establish- ment in Canada. I appreciate the dilemma such a board would face trying to "'play God"' in this controversial and highly emotional field. It would require a very brave group of people to block experiments which might possibly produce a cure for cancer or some other dreadful disease. But at least a review board would be able to eliminate stupid, frivolous and unnecessary animal experiments, some of which are funded and conducted in Canada under the existing system. For example, do we really need to use animals to know that lead, when injected into humans, may effect the libido of the male? And how far can we go in trying to duplicate human disease and injury when we are not at all sure the results can be properly applied back to humans? I could provide a long list of the sort of ex- periments I believe would keep a National Review Board for Animal Experimentation very busy. Certainly it would not have any difficulty justifying its existence. After a few years of operation, I suspect we would all wonder how on earth we got along with the board in the "bad old days." 'Yours truly, --T.I. Hughes, Executive Vice-President, Ontario Humane Society. Wants ramp for Queen's Park Dear Sir: I am disappointed that the Honourable Doug Wiseman Minister of Government Services was not able to give me assurance today that a ramp would be constructed at the front entrance of the Parliament Building so that many disabled people can enter the front door of this building. In raising the question I pointed out to the Minister that many disabled people would be in front of the Parliament Building on July 1 and that it was appropriate in the year dedicated to the disabled that they should be able to enter by the front door and not be forced to have to enter through the rear of the building. The Minister's response was that while he would possibly look into what could be done by the front entrance, he had been told that in a building similar to this it had been tried and was not feasible. I cannot believe that with the architectural talents available to the Legislature someone cannot design a ramp that would allow entry for disabled persons into the Legislature and at same time be in harmony with the architecture of this building. The symbolism in this problem is as important as the physical inconvenince. It is terribly disconcerting that the building which will soon see the passage of a new Human Rights Code for Ontario cannot at the same time work out a system whereby disabled persons can enter the front door of their Parliament in the same way as every other citizen. Bill No. 7, An Act to revise and extend Protec- tion of Human Rights in Ontario which received first reading on April 24, 1981 states in Park 1, Section 1, that "every person has a right to equal treatment in the enjoyment of services, good and facilities without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, age, marital status, family or handicap." The Minister should perhaps read that section of the Bill introduced by his own government and see that his actions are in conformity with the spirit.of the Bill. --Ed Philip (NDP) MPP for Etobicoke Red Shield official says thanks Dear Editor: "yy CHART A YOUR COURSE > FOR A Ww, g wv Cw, Come aboard For great weekend entertainment éFriday -To be Announced eSaturday-"Green Pepper' eSun. afternoon-"Danny Robitaille' BAY MOORINGS Dining Lounge 213 Fox St., Penetang 549-8882 RRA H.W SS §, CAAA RMMA Universite a Penetanguishene Cet été le College Glendon offrira, pour crédit universitaire, le cours GL/FR224.6F Cours de langue francaise pour francophones (Niveau II): Expression et Communication, enseigné par M. Réjean Garneau Dates: du 2 juillet au 30 juillet (5 rencontres de 3 heures par semaine, le soir ou le jour, au choix des etudiants). Frais de scolarité: $207.00. Pour tous renseignements, veuillez vous adresser aux: Services d'information, College Glendon, 2275, Bayview, Toronto, Ont. M4N 3M6 mittees completed. As campaign chairman, I want to thank you all for the excellent work you did. The final results did not just happen but are a direct result of your combined efforts. Once again thank you all. (416) 487-6208 ~COLLEGEGLENDON | | de l'université York The 1981 Red Shield Appeal is now history in Midland with a final figure of $22,000. No doubt there will be some donations after this date but I now consider the function of the com- Sincerely, --Nancy Keefe (Mrs. W.N.), Campaign Chairman. 2 WAYS TO SAVE Take immediate delivery on one of these3 P.S. You did a great job! ae a ae cee ae us laa RN te a Lorna Wood -has graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Food, Nutrition, Consumer and Family ick eee F Srence Ann Holden Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Eichler of Wyevale are pleased to announce the graduation of their Studies, majoring in = 3 et ee daughter, Florence Consumer Studies." 5 se J S bler Pick Jeep Cherokee Anne Holden, from She jis __ presently eep ocrambler Fick-up Laredo 4 door Osgoode Hall Law isi triti = School. oe ker es Your AMC Jeep and Renault Dealer Parts & Service Mrs. Holden will [Lorna is a former 161 Main St., Penetanguishene commence articles with the Toronto firm of student from Midland Secondary School and is Penetang Wi Harris, Keachie, the daughter of Mr. and Acnerican 549-31 71 Garrow, Davies and mrs. Keith Wood, RR 1, LIM Motors Hunter. Wyebridge Bs Page 6, Wednesday, June 17, 1981