29/01/07
The current contract and research programme Iis due to end very shortly
in March 2007. As part of the contract renewal process the MOD is currently
reviewing whether the research using goats needs to continue.
As part of this review they will be assessing the data they have already
collected, to decide if there is enough data to construct a “safe-to-escape
curve”. If they decide more data is needed they will continue
to subject goats to the cruel hyperbaric chambers.|
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
• This diving research started over 100 years ago, and QinetiQ
have been conducting theirs for over 50 years now. How much more data
can they possibly need!
• The “safe to escape curve” has already been researched
and constructed by research carried out in other countries.
• The French Navy, and others, are already using only non-animal
research in this field.
Please write to the MoD and to your M.P.
PLEASE WRITE THESE LETTERS ASAP!
The MoD can be contacted via:
Desmond Browne MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Email: browned@parliament.uk
To
find out who your MP is, and how to contact them visit www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/.
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LETTER TO MP
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing in regards to the hyperbaric research currently being conducted
by the defence research company QinetiQ on live goats on behalf of the
MoD.
The contract for these tests is due for review in March, and it is time
that they were replaced with humane alternative tests.
The French Navy now uses mathematical models to help control Decompression
Sickness (DCS), but QinetiQ and the MoD have yet to follow suit.
QinetiQ claim that this research is to benefit submariners during an
escape situation, by demonstrating a safe-to-escape curve. Shockingly
the data for this curve has already been obtained, and the safe-to-escape
curve has already been plotted.
The research has been conducted on goats by QinetiQ for 50 years, and
by the Royal Navy for 102 years. I would ask that you raise this issue
with the MoD and urge them to implement the alternative research methods,
rather than relying on outdated, and unethical animal data.
I would also like to know who is in charge of reviewing these tests,
and if they have full access to all of the alternative research methods
already in use.
Yours Sincerely
YOUR NAME
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LETTER TO THE MOD
I am writing in regards to the use of live goats in diving experiments
being conducted on behalf of the MoD by QinetiQ in Alverstoke.
I am aware that the current contract to conduct these tests expires
in March. I urge that at this date you explore alternative tests.
QinetiQ have themselves stated in relation to submarine escape research,
“such information has been captured and is presented to submariners
as a ‘safe-to-escape curve’.” This curve is already
being presented to divers, and is in the public domain. Whilst I am
aware that research into this field will continue, I would ask that
you reconsider the use of live animals, and instead rely on mathematical
models, and safe human studies.
Mike Hancock MP who has witnessed these tests has labelled them as “repeat”
procedures, and the statement from QinetiQ appears to echo this sentiment.
As I am sure you are aware, live goats have been used in this field
of research since 1905, when John Haldane decided that they were of
a similar size to adult humans. Over a century has passed, and Britain
is now lagging behind in this field of research. It is time to move
on.
I am interested as to who is in charge of reviewing these tests, and
if they have full access to all relevant research and data in this field.
Yours sincerely
YOUR NAME