Troubling article

[AmberLee]

The articles at Slate are very thought-provoking (usually), but this one on experiments with rats troubles me. How do you feel about it?

[zippy-kat]

don't like it...don't like it at all

[AmberLee]

Chuck! Heh, heh, heh! Good one!

[lizbud]

AmberLee,

Aside from the obvious, wiring animals for stupid,
irrelevent "tests", what else troubles you about
this article?

[AmberLee]

1) I'm concerned with what they tasks will they be having the rats perform once it's out of testing phase. Why set up rats to follow commands that are outside the rat's inclinations -- i.e. go straight across a lit, cleared area, etc.

2) What animals will they expand this to should it prove successful.

3) Scientists controlling another creature's mind to have it do the scientist's direction seems as arrogant an experiement with life as cloning does, at least to me.

Doesn't this seem dreadfully 'Stepford Wife'-ish or slavery oriented to you? Or am I over-reacting here?

[lizbud]

AmberLee,
It appears that humans have an huge desire to
totally control all life on earth & possibly any place
else it is ever encountered . It's all about "control",
and mankind's "superiority" over all life forms.
Humans need to take a step back & re- evaluate
their place in this universe. Won't happen soon
enough for me. This "need" to control & bend all
facits of nature to the benifit of mankind only ; and
forget that other species play a part in this world,
will be our undoing as a species. This human "need"
and greed are (I think) what feeds mindless,unneeded
animal research expermentation. Gosh, this is depressing.
I'm going to go play with my furkids.

[Ann]

I hate all sorts of testing on animals, but these kinds are just the worst... It makes me so gd mad... Scientists playing God and doing whatever they please...

I wonder how many more years we will exist for. One thing is for sure; I won't feel sorry for us the day we are made slaves to some alien race or extincted (ok, I know that's not a real word) from the planet.

[Gio]

I'm dead against it. And Amberlee I do not think you're over-reacting at all, I feel exactly the same way.

[Ann]

...

You're scaring me!!!!!!! >_<

[Ann]

Nah, I was just kidding around.

Couldn't agree with you more anyhow.

[wolflady]

Originally posted by lizbud
AmberLee,
It appears that humans have an huge desire to
totally control all life on earth & possibly any place
else it is ever encountered . It's all about "control",
and mankind's "superiority" over all life forms.
Humans need to take a step back & re- evaluate
their place in this universe. Won't happen soon
enough for me. This "need" to control & bend all
facits of nature to the benifit of mankind only ; and
forget that other species play a part in this world,
will be our undoing as a species. This human "need"
and greed are (I think) what feeds mindless,unneeded
animal research expermentation. Gosh, this is depressing.
I'm going to go play with my furkids.

I couldn't have put it better!!!

[purrley]

I am not a real fan of rats and mice, but I am totally against using any animals for laboratory testing. If it was a good thing they would have found cures for a whole lot more diseases than they have so far.