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Animal-rights group says MSU, U-M mistreat subjects BY PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI and SUZETTE HACKNEY • FREE
PRESS STAFF WRITERS • April 22, 2008 An Ohio-based animal rights group stopped Monday in Detroit to
protest the treatment of research animals at Michigan State University
and the University of Michigan. Stop Animal Exploitation Now highlighted instances of the
universities being cited, including a September 2007 incident for which
MSU received an official warning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
for failing to provide adequate shelter for animals. Sixty-six minks, which were fine when checked by a worker at the
start of the day in question, died from exposure to extremely hot
weather. SAEN also objected to U-M's treatment of primates in drug and alcohol
addiction research, and contended that those used in experiments showed
self-destructive behavior. Michael Budkie, executive director of SAEN, said universities are
more preoccupied with getting grant money than caring for the animals.
"We believe that laboratories are being deliberately dishonest about
the kind of pain and mistreatment that animals are experiencing," Budkie
said, adding that he is pushing for federal legislation that would
impose heftier fines for violations. Marc Breedlove, chairman of MSU's Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee, contends they must be used "if you want any more
breakthroughs." Researchers use alternatives when possible, he said.
"But for the most part, animals are necessary." Find more information:
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
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