MoD Infecting Marmosets With Deadly Diseases: PETA Founder Endures Public ‘Torture’ in Protest
In a striking demonstration against animal experiments carried out by the UK government, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk was strapped to a “torture table” and “gassed” by a protester dressed as an animal experimenter.
Shackled and ‘gassed’ Ingrid Newkirk in anti-vivisection protest #bananimaltesting pic.twitter.com/31Pa6ZmBF5
— PETA UK (@PETAUK) April 20, 2016
It was revealed this week that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) killed 57 marmosets in cruel and deadly laboratory experiments at its military facility in Porton Down last year. These included tests in which monkeys were forced to inhale aerosols, infected with bacteria that began to rot away their lungs or infected with Ebola, causing some of them to bleed from their genitals.
Ingrid Newkirk, 67, who founded PETA UK 22 years ago, explained why she decided to take such a dramatic stand in Trafalgar Square today:
“When we have access to computer models, human tissues and other modern research methods, it’s unfathomable that the Ministry of Defence is still torturing and killing animals.”
Studies of naturally occurring diseases in humans, sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues, and advanced computer-modelling techniques are less costly, more effective and far more humane than tormenting monkeys – not to mention far more ethical.
This is not the first time we’ve learnt that the UK military is hurting animals in disturbing ways – but we hope it will be the last.
Please join us in asking the MoD to stop using animals in archaic experiments – sign our petition.
