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Our own EnglandGal, Susan Roghair, was just selected to be on the Advisory
Board of The Animals' Agenda. For those of you unfamiliar with that magazine,
The Animals' Agenda is a wonderful bimonthly publication edited by Kim
Stallwood, a former executive director of PeTA. Carol Adams, author of The
Sexual Politics of Meat, and Dr. Andrew Linzey, author of numerous books on
Christianity and Animal Rights, are both regular contributors to the magazine and
also members of the Advisory Board.
We, the staff of Animal Rights Online, highly recommend The Animal's Agenda
magazine for it's news reports, in-depth feature stories and thoughtful commen-
tary on animal rights issues and cruelty free living. See their website at the link
below for subscription information.
A few weeks ago, Susan went to Baltimore to meet with Kim Stallwood (who is
also from England) and also with Kirsten Rosenberg who is the Managing Editor
of the magazine. Susan recently told me how she was selected, "I think the
main thing that got me chosen was our (AROs) online reputation. Many of the
staff at ARN (Animal Rights Network - they own Animals' Agenda) are long time
subscribers of ARO. Kim has been a subscriber since the beginning of this year,
Deborah Tanzer, Advisory Board member, for much longer than that. Also among
our readers are Davy Davidson who is the President of The Board of Directors,
and Mariann Sullivan who is on the advisory board. Syed Rizvi, who is also on
the board of directors, has been a loyal subscriber for a few years."
Park StRanger: Was it that interview with Kim that helped determine your selection?
EnglandGal: Yes and no. The decision was made by the board of directors,
but Kim's input was also important. There were many candidates for this position and after the board voted, I was selected along with four other new
people.
The staff of Animal Rights Online congratulates Susan and shares her happiness
for receiving this honor.
To learn more about The Animals' Agenda magazine and read some of the
articles from past issues, go to their website at
The Animals' Agenda Magazine: Web Edition
http://www.animalsagenda.org/
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http://www.bouldernews.com/science/science/08pscic.html
"Marc," my deeply caring, passionate and devoted father, asked, "can you
please wheel Mom into the kitchen and get her ready for dinner?" I answered,
"Sure, Dad," and began the short trek. But the journey went well beyond the
confines of my parent's home. It remains a difficult and multi-dimensional
pilgrimage for which there aren't any road maps or dress rehearsals. I watch
myself watching Mom. The role reversal is riveting; I'm now my keeper's keeper.
Where's the person I called "Mom?"
My mother, Beatrice Rose, who I love dearly, has suffered major losses of
locomotor, cognitive and physiological functions. She doesn't know who I am,
and likely has lost some self- and body-awareness. In a nutshell, my mother
has lost her autonomy. She has little self-determination. Nevertheless, there's
no doubt others would still think of her as a "person" whose spirit and soul reside
within and who's entitled to certain moral and legal standing. And they should.
Generally, the following criteria are used to designate a being as a "person."
They include being conscious of one's surroundings, being able to reason,
experience various emotions, having a sense of self, adjusting to changing
situations and performing various cognitive and intellectual tasks. While many
humans fulfill most if not all of these criteria, there are humans who don't - young
infants and seriously mentally challenged adults. But they're also rightfully
considered to be persons.
Now, what about my companion dog, Jethro? He's active, can feed and groom
himself, and is very emotional. Jethro's as autonomous as a dog can be. Yet,
many people wouldn't feel comfortable calling Jethro a "person." This irreverence
would be a prime example of just what's wrong with academic musings!
Why the different attitudes toward my mother and Jethro? Why are some people,
especially in Western cultures, hesitant to call chimpanzees, gorillas, dolphins,
elephants, wolves and dogs, for example, "persons," even when they meet the
criteria for personhood, more so than some humans?
Fear. Many people fear that elevating animal beings to persons would mean that
the notion of personhood is tarnished, that it means less for humans. Some also
fear that animals will then have the same legal and moral standing as humans
and they'll be equals.
While some may believe this whole exercise is shamefully crass, there are some
important issues at stake. Loving Jethro (and other animals) as much as I do
doesn't mean I love my mother (or other humans) less. Does granting Jethro and
other animals personhood and attendant moral and legal standing lessen or take
moral and legal standing away from humans? No. Such fears aren't warranted.
Little's to be gained by claiming that granting "personhood" to some animals
would be a misguided or blasphemous move. Surely, Jethro goes through life
differently from most human (and other dog) beings, but this doesn't mean he
hasn't got any life at all. People vary greatly (there are countless different
personalities as there are "animalities"), but the term "person" is broad enough
to encompass (and celebrate) this marvelous diversity.
So, does calling a nonhuman a person degrade the notion of personhood? No.
However, this move would mean that animals would come to be treated with the
respect, compassion and love that's due them and that their interests in not
suffering would be given equal consideration with those of humans. Could one
reasonably argue that a world with less cruelty and more compassion and love
wouldn't be a better place to live and raise children? I don't think so.
Marc Bekoff (marc.bekoff@colorado.edu) teaches in Environmental, Population
and Organismic Biology at the University of Colorado.
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Today, Sunday, 10/15 at 9 pm on CNN channel 40 will be presented "the dark
side of the greyhound industry" as well as "behind the scenes of restaurant food
you should know."
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The Animals' Agenda, a national nonprofit animal rights news magazine based
in Baltimore, Maryland, seeks a full-time Coordinator for its Library & Archive
Program. Excellent opportunity for someone with strong concerns about
animals to learn more about the field of animal rights and related subjects.
Familiarity with animal rights issues/organizations and experience in library or
archival procedures preferred. Computer experience required. Salary $20,000
plus benefits. Casual work environment and flexible schedule. Mail cover letter
and resume to The Animals' Agenda, P.O. Box 25881, Baltimore, MD 21224,
or fax to (410) 675-0066. No phone calls, please.
Email: kirsten@animalsagenda.org
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Grey2k is a political group in which I actively participate. It sprang up as an
agglomeration of all the anti- greyhound racing groups in Massachusetts.
We worked hard over the last year and a half to get on the MA Ballot and
Made It !
"VOTE YES ON 3 - TO END THE CRUELTY OF DOG RACING" is our mantra.
But we are in dire need of field workers and TV & radio announcements. The
vote on Nov. 7th is a short 29 days away. Anything and Everything you can do
to promote the YES vote on Ballot Question 3 in Massachusetts will go a long
way toward saving at least 1000 dogs a year (more likely in time 20,000 plus
dogs a year.)
Our 300,000 advertising collection thus far is puny compared to the greyhound
dog racing industry's 1.1 million dollar collection. The racing industry has
claimed they will get 3 million to combat us.
They are using scare tactics to sway votes in their favor including: hunting
interests, business freedom interests, and even propaganda spins that say they
love their dogs, all of which is not true.
For information on how you can help, contact baerwolf@tiac.net
or phone 508-885-0717
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The deadline for the next round of Sabina Fund applications is November 15
(please do not wait till the last minute and waste money on express mail). The
Fund provides small grants for grassroots organizations promoting plant-based
eating.
Application guidelines are at http://www.farmusa.org/html/grant.html.
Massachusetts company a pioneer in manufacture and marketing of In Vitro
systems
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Alternatives Research & Development Foundation
(ARDF) today announced the recipient of its prestigious William A. Cave award.
This marks the third year for the $5,000 award which recognizes accomplish-
ments in advancing the development and adoption of replacement alternatives
to animal use in scientific endeavors.
This year's honoree, John Sheasgreen, President of MatTek Corporation, of
Ashland, Massachusetts, was chosen for his achievements in innovative
marketing of his company's line of In Vitro testing systems. Used primarily
for testing efficacy and safety of consumer products, MatTek's EpiDerm,
EpiOcular, MelanoDerm and other test systems have been developed to help
avoid the particularly painful corrosivity eye and skin tests animals endure in
the competitive world of bringing new consumer items to store shelves.
After joining MatTek in 1990 as Manager of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Sheasgreen
shrewdly assessed the interest in In Vitro tests among corporate giants such as
Avon, Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor and Gamble. He concluded that due to
pressure from animal advocates, companies were supporting development of
non-animal tests, but the scientists at the bench level were unsure exactly how
to apply specific substitute tests.
John McArdle, Director of ARDF, commented, "John Sheasgreen's contribution
to the advancement of alternatives was that he knew how to generate enthusiasm
among bench scientists. He removed the cost barrier and disseminated the
products widely among people who would use them in innovative ways. Then,
they spread the word of the advantages of In Vitro testing systems among their
own colleagues and corporate officers." Now, as President of a small, but
determined company, Sheasgreen is beginning to see the fruits of those early
efforts. Last year, he saw his workforce grow to 24 professionals and support
staff. ARDF President Sue Leary said, "Without alternatives such as MatTek's,
ending the use of animals in science could not be practically achieved."
The ARDF is affiliated with The American Anti-Vivisection Society and is
dedicated to funding research which develops non-animal alternatives in the
areas of product testing, education and basic research. ARDF funded the
development of a cost-effective alternative to the use of mice in monoclonal
antibody (MAb) production. Under pressure from legal action by both groups,
the National Institutes of Health in 1999 issued guidelines for researchers
directing that non-animal methods of producing MAb's were to be considered
the default method. With this victory, AAVS and ARDF look forward to a
reduction of up to a million animals a year as a result of the new policy.
Scientists hailed this as a constructive engagement between animal advocates
and researchers.
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Featuring Sophie B. Hawkins as the headline band
Sunday, October 22nd,
Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego
10 AM 7 PM
FREE / UNIQUE MUSIC FOOD HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL ANIMAL
FESTIVAL
SOLAR-POWERED WORLDFEST-SAN DIEGO TO FEATURE WORLD-
RENOWNED SPEAKERS · WORLD-CLASS BANDS · ANIMAL ADOPTIONS ·
HEALTHY FOOD · CELEBRITIES
WORLDFEST - SAN DIEGO, a production of nonprofit Towards Freedom,
promises to be one of San Diegos most exciting fall events, inviting the public
-- at no admission charge -- to enjoy a performance by Sophie B. Hawkins
known for her songs As I lay me down and Damn, I wish I was your lover plus
an address by Howard Lyman, the cattle rancher who turned vegetarian, MAD
COWBOY author, who was co-defendant with OPRAH WINFREY in the Texas
cattlemen freedom-of-speech trial (in which HOWARD and OPRAH prevailed).
Among Howards revelations is the shocking truth that dogs and cats are now in
the food chain of the average meat eater.
Event organizers expect to build on the success of WorldFest-LA, held in July,
which drew 8,000-10,000 people to a celebration that included appearances by
Woody Harrelson, Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Nealon, Linda Blair, and other
celebrities, speakers, food, and live music. The event garnered national media
coverage including E! Entertainment Network, People Magazine, and
USAToday.com.
Last years San Diego event, then known as Fall Fest, drew 4,000-5,000 people
to Dusty Roads Park in Ocean Beach for a wonderful day of education and
celebration which featured John Robbins as the keynote speaker. Organizers
expect a significantly larger crowd this year due to celebrity appearances and
greater publicity.
WORLDFEST-San Diego Menu: A cornucopia of delicious healthy foods from
around the world from national and local companies and restaurants for sampling
and for sale. Holistic health, environment, and animal issues are central themes
in exhibitor and education booths, while great live music, animal adoptions and
childrens activities are major event focuses.
WORLDFEST-San Diego, Directions to Embarcadero Marina Park South:
On San Diego Bay off Harbor Drive immediately behind the Convention Center
(Convention Center trolley stop). For more information:
www.WorldFestEvents.com or 619-584-6462.
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«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl 33673-7053
http://www.oocities.org/RainForest/1395/