TO THE EDITOR:
In 300 words, the inaccuracies, irrelevancies and one-sided "facts" on which last week's article about People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was written can't be adequately addressed. Hopefully, The Daily Tar Heel will soon report on the real issues - the University-wide overhaul regarding the improved use of animals.
Some examples are that the University exceeds federal standards established by the National Institutes of Health guidelines, requires extensive training for all animal handlers, created a local committee to impose stringent standards and invested tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours to establish a set of guidelines that would ensure proper animal use.
These efforts contrast with last week's article in which PETA portrayed UNC researchers, working in some of the nation's most prominent laboratories, as torturing animals next to sacks of grant money, heaped beside mounds of animal carcasses. PETA's justification for such a egregiously inaccurate view is an outdated video made three years ago, backed by rhetorically poignant quotes - all coming from biased individuals.
As a research scientist, I've seen my colleagues in tears because an animal suffered during their experiment. An animal's suffering hurts us, as researchers, as much as any caring human being, yet we consciously decide to continue our research based on the importance of the knowledge gained. That's an incredibly harsh burden to bear, and it pains me that PETA and the DTH can portray me, my colleagues and our work as atrociously as they do.
We are not monsters - we are saving and improving millions of lives. Granted, value cannot be placed on any life, animal or human, but with careful research attuned to minimizing animal discomfort, researchers can help so many more than they hurt - to ignore this and to try to stop animal research truly is inhumane.
So think twice before judging, and learn all the facts. Thanks.
Robb Giddings
