Vivisection Takes Front Stage in New York Times, Today

The journal Nature, and the NYT today displayed a cold-hard celebration of vivisection at University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. In what was purported to be a scientific breakthrough for advancements in brain-machine interface technology, two macaque monkeys - who were shot at a very specific angles to hide the hideous science-fiction-like wires connecting their brains to computers (notice the big metal tube conveniently covering the monkey's head in the NYT video, and the black box in the Youtube Video below) - were forced to fetch food with a robotic arm using their brain implants.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfE_PUtzMe8]

The resounding result of this study should be a call to end horrific experiments on animals. If these monkeys are intelligent enough to master the complexity of controlling robotics, and intelligent enough to be considered suitable models for humans - then how can we justify imprisoning them and conducting disgusting and torturous experiments that we wouldn't conduct on dissenting humans? In short, if their brains are so similar to ours, why is it OK to do this?

There are many paralyzed and/or limbless humans who would gladly participate voluntarily with the potential of regaining lost motor skills.

"...the new report “is important because it’s the most comprehensive study showing how an animal interacts with complex objects, using only brain activity.” - NYT

Over 100 million animals are used in experiments worldwide every year.Vivisection effectively reduces sentient beings to the status of disposable tools, to be used and discarded for the benefit of others. In the words of Mark Twain:

"I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't...The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further."

Had the Monkey's been given a key to unlock themselves and return to their friends and family in a natural habitat, I'm sure the grapes and marshmallows would not be missed. For more info on  vivisection and alternatives, please visit NAVS.

Please write to the New York Times and express your opinion, and ask why the ethics of such experiments were not even raised.