For only the second time since surveyors began asking the
question in 1988, a majority of Americans disagree with the
idea of using dogs and chimpanzees in scientific research,
according to a recent report from the National Science Board.
Only 44% of the adults in the 2001 survey, which is the
basis for the NSB's Science and Engineering Indicators
2002 report *, strongly agreed or agreed with the following
question: "Scientists should be allowed to do research that
causes pain and injury to animals like dogs and chimpanzees if
it produces new information about human health problems. Do you
strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree?" That's
the lowest percentage in the history of the survey
question.
That percentage also marks a 6% decrease from the number of
adults who agreed with the question in the 1999 survey. By
contrast, 52% of the adults strongly disagreed or disagreed
with the question in the most recent survey. That's the highest
percentage in the history of the survey question.
The growing public discontent toward the use of dogs and
chimpanzees in biomedical research can likely be traced to a
number of factors, says Kathleen Conlee, a HSUS program officer
for animal research issues.
"Behavioral research on chimpanzees, both captive and wild,
has proven that they live complex social lives, express a
variety of emotions, use tools, are capable of learning sign
language, and the list goes on," says Conlee. "These findings
have certainly influenced public opinion. Also, the fact that a
large percentage of the population has adopted dogs as
companion animals certainly influences public opinion."
But those factors alone don't fully explain the shift,
Conlee says. Public awareness of animal research issues has
also increased due to the work of many animal organizations.
What's more, she says, former laboratory workers are
increasingly blowing the whistle on what they have witnessed in
research facilities. These former employees have related tales
of chimpanzees who are depressed, ill, anxious, or withdrawn as
a result of the conditions and research they are subjected
to.
"We expect that public support for research on dogs and
chimpanzees will continue to decline in the future," Conlee
predicts.
While Americans are increasingly uncomfortable with dogs and
chimpanzees in research, they are more accepting of mice used
in laboratories, according to the NSB poll. Sixty-eight percent
of adults agreed with the use of mice in research, while only
30% disagreed.
Perhaps, then, it's not surprising that mice have recently
been denied legal protections under the Animal Welfare Act. In
May 2002, President Bush signed the Farm Bill into law, a piece
of legislation that carried Senator Jesse Helm's amendment that
excluded mice, rats and birds protections from AWA
protections.
*Science and Engineering Indicators is a biennial report
produced by the NSB (part of the National Science Foundation)
for review by Congress. This report, the fifteenth in the
series, contains quantitative analyses of primary aspects of
the quality and scope of science and engineering in the United
States. To review this document in its entirety, please access
the offsite link below.
Appendix Table
7.26 from Science and Engineering Indicators 2002.
Appendix
Table 7.27 from Science and Engineering Indicators
2002.
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