Interesting programme. It was a drama-doc that covered animal experimentation and the moral questions that go along with it. While I am dead set against all forms of vivisection I don't condone the bully-boy tactics that the Animal Liberation Front used to put the point across such as posting death threats to staff that worked at the places where testing on animals occur. It seems a bit hypocritical to wish death on a fellow human being and still preach ethical treatment for all animals.

I agree for the most part with this summary, given by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV (http://www.buav.org/))

RichJW

CHANNEL 4’s PROGRAMME ‘ANIMALS’ FAILS TO FOCUS ON THE ANIMALS!


While millions of animals continue to suffer in silence behind closed and locked laboratory doors, it comes as a disappointment that the Channel 4 programme ‘Animals’, aired on Thursday 12th January, will not focus on the scientific and moral debate of whether animals should be subjected to painful and often lethal procedures. After a promising start featuring coverage from an undercover investigation carried out by the BUAV, the programme quickly descends into an unoriginal portrayal of the small minority of animal rights “activists” who engage in violent and unlawful activity pitted against scientists. In reality, the debate lies within the scientific community itself.

To learn about the real issues at stake, click HERE (http://www.buav.org/undercover/index.html) to read about the BUAV’s investigations into British laboratories, and click HERE (http://www.buav.org/resources/documents/B2AnimalModels.pdf) to read about why using animals in research is just bad science.

The media has a role to play in shaping this debate and should face up to their responsibilities. By raising a hugely emotive issue and then disproportionately focusing on the intimidatory methods of the few, they stifle the exchange of ideas and therefore unwittingly encourage violence.

i believe the media has the strongest role to play. education of the masses is the way to go and i felt this program only touched lightly upon it. the debating side of things was handled delicately as possible but i agree when peopel say 'where was the focus upon the animals?'

Much of the focus at the moment is with animal rights extremists who have gotten more severe over the years, rather than the isue atheart.

I do wish that the issue was given a bit more debate. However, it's quite interesting how there's a mini-warbeingwaged between two groups.