Statement on Protection of Research

Originally posted Nov. 16, 2007
Updated Feb. 12, 2008

Recently, Dr. Edythe London, an SfN member who uses nonhuman primates in her research at UCLA, was again the target of unlawful harassment by animal rights activists. A firebomb was placed on her doorstep, causing damage to her home, which had previously been vandalized in October by the Animal Liberation Front. Dr. Gene Block, UCLA Chancellor, issued a strong statement condemning the November attack and made similar remarks on Feb.6 about the firebombing. Unfortunately, the attacks on Dr. London are not isolated incidents, but rather the latest illegal, aggressive, and irresponsible actions of animal rights extremists. SfN will continue to support researchers in the U.S. and around the world conducting responsible and humane research in the pursuit of lifesaving cures.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is deeply concerned about the continued unacceptable and unlawful harassment of scientists by fringe animal rights extremists. SfN fully supports legal, legislative, and university action to protect academic research. We commend researchers, universities, and the scientific community at large for their courage and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and health through the use of established and accepted experimental techniques. We strongly encourage universities to adopt policies that support and protect legitimate research activities against intimidation, harassment, and threats made on campus or in the investigator's home environment.

While SfN and our members believe strongly in the right to peaceful expression of diverse opinions, the continuing intimidation, violence, and additional threats to which biomedical researchers have been subjected are far beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse and debate. In recognition of that fact, the U.S. Congress recently passed the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act to address these abuses. We urge that animal rights activists who violate local or federal laws be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The responsible use of animals in research is indispensable for sustaining the dramatic progress we have seen in diagnosing and treating many crippling conditions that affect millions of Americans. Afflictions like Alzheimer's disease, paralysis, Parkinson's disease, addiction, and depression cause untold hardship for countless American families and drain billions of dollars from our economy annually. Moreover, it has been shown repeatedly that the American public overwhelmingly supports the responsible use of animals, and overwhelmingly rejects animal rights extremism. The use of violence and harassment to seek to intimidate researchers who are pursuing knowledge using appropriate techniques that are both legal and consistent with national regulations has no place in our society.

To learn more about responsible research, please visit SfN's Animals in Research Web page.