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Media Coverage New animal group to investigate University of Iowa By Elaine Fabian - The Daily Iowan Responding to the Animal Liberation Front's accusations that animals
in Spence Laboratories were mistreated, a self-described research
watchdog on Thursday announced that it will investigate UI research
practices to reveal any alleged abuse. Stop Animal Exploitation Now - a Cincinnati-based group formed in
1996 - released documents detailing the university's research at a news
conference in front of Spence Labs on Thursday. "Half-truths have been perpetuated by UI in recent media coverage,"
said Michael Budkie, the executive director of the group in a news
release. He asserted that the school has not been forthcoming in describing
its research at Spence Labs. In November 2004, a group claiming affiliation with the Animal
Liberation Front, vandalized the labs, spilling chemicals and removing
hundreds of animals used in research. Budkie contended the UI had ulterior motives in conducting animal
research. "UI animal experiments are not about science but more about
attracting federal funding to the UI," he said. UI President David Skorton rejected that claim, saying that the
university doesn't need the money. "The currency of academia is research, and the product of the
university is the dissemination of discovery," he said at his monthly
meeting with students. "It isn't consistent that a university of this
size would do research for the money." Although Skorton didn't agree with the accusations of the Cincinnati
group, he said he isn't worried about its investigation. "I welcome the investigation," he said. "I believe there is a very
important place for animal and human research, and I am proud of the way
the UI has organized animal research." UI law student Leana Stormont, who serves as the Midwest coordinator
for the Cincinati group, questioned the need for some animal research at
the university. The study aims to end animal experiments, which she deemed
"wasteful," she said. "We hope to have an effect on the manner in which animals are used,"
she said. "My goal is to bring information to light so the public can
see what is going on." E-mail DI reporter Elaine Fabian at:
elaine-fabian@uiowa.edu
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