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Bad Science
Bad Politics
The New Laboratory
Primate Research at Oxford
Science Fiction v. Fact
Protest Letters
Photo Gallery
Video Footage
Search
Legal Notice
Links
Reward £15,000
SPEAK OUT Against Vivisection - Contacting the Funders!"Most [vivisectors are] naturalistic and Darwinian. Now here, surely, we come up against a very alarming fact. The very same people who will most contemptuously brush aside any consideration of animal suffering if it stands in the way of 'research' will also, in another context, most vehemently deny that there is any radical difference between man and the other animals." C.S Lewis on Vivisection Oxford University, like most higher education institutions, exists in a world of tight budgets. One of its most important sources of funding is that of donations from private sector companies and charitable foundations. Without this funding - which actually far exceeds the combined monies from the government and students - the university would soon become financially insolvent.
If we can convince these various companies, institutions and trusts to withdraw their funding from Oxford University, the university would not have the financial resources to finish their 'prize' building project - the new animal research laboratory in South Parks Rd - let alone fill it with animals to vivisect on and abuse. Many of the companies and trusts are probably unaware of the university's deep commitment to and involvement in vivisection, and would probably be shocked to hear the truth about what goes on in the name of science at the institution to which they donate money. We are convinced that many donors are unaware of Oxford University's track record regarding vivisection. Reports of breaches in animal welfare laws at the University appear to be quickly diffused, yet they are clearly not uncommon. In 1998, the laboratory was subjected to a damning confidential report over breaches in animal welfare law with regard to the post-operative aftercare of vivisected animals. The most recently publicised example of the University-employed professor investigated by the police for refusing to euthanise 'his' lab monkey to release her from extreme suffering is - according to a reliable inside source - just the tip of the iceberg. Academics not involved in animal cruelty at the university need to be made aware that this issue affects them as well. As we understand it, while there have been cutbacks in two other science departments, the animal research department continues to reap huge benefits. One is forced to ask: if such cutbacks are commonplace, are University staff and students seeing a fair distribution of assets? Isn't it time to say enough is enough? A number of years ago, C. S. Lewis (one of Oxford's famous luminaries, well-known for his Narnian Chronicles among many other literary works), wrote a paper opposing vivisection. Unlike Lewis who spoke out within the openness of a democracy and was unafraid of standing out as a lone voice, Oxford academics today seem afraid to stand out from the crowd, particularly given the intimidatory tactics used by the pro-vivisection lobby, whose injunction granted against animal rights campaigners also automatically includes any student or staff member who so much as approaches demonstrators. Although some have made a very public show of their discontent over the project and encouraged SPEAK campaigners to keep fighting, we suspect there are many more dissenting voices among the ranks of the academia. Perhaps the silent majority should take their cue from Lewis and those who - like him - have taken a stand. It is, after all, not just a question of opposing vivisection - it is also about upholding a proud tradition in this country, which we find being increasingly eroded - that of freedom of speech. We are asking those that donate money to Oxford University to play their part in ending the cruel and unscientific practice of vivisection by withholding further funding pending the release of a statement by the university that the building project is to be halted indefinitely. It is time for medical science to catch up with the 21st century, to end vivisection once and for all. Funders, staff and students could influence the university to making that happen at Oxford. We are asking them to make an informed and compassionate choice, to exercise their power and to make a difference. The animals do not have the voice to speak for themselves, but if opponents of the new Oxford animal laboratory speak out against it, as one voice, the University will be forced to sit back and listen. Together, we can make that happen. A list of funders is available below, more will follow in the very near future!. Please contact the following Companies and Charitable Foundations asking them to withdraw their funding of the university until such a time as the plans for the new animal research laboratory are scrapped. Please be aware that most on this list do not directly finance those departments abusing animals. However they are contributing to a university that does. Be polite and courteous. Or if you belong to a local animal rights group why not hold a demonstration outside their offices. Please contact SPEAK if you need posters and leaflets.
The Atlantic Philanthropies (GB) Ltd
The Atlantic Philanthropies (NI) Limited
Tara House
City Solicitors Educational Trust
Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts
Wolfson Foundation
The Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust
Leverhulme Trust
The Dr Mortimer & Theresa Sackler Foundation
The Clore Duffield Foundation
The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
The Sutton Trust
Peter Lole & Co
Amadeus Capital Partners Ltd
London Office:
C & J Clark International Ltd
Schroder Investment Management Ltd
Rolls-Royce
Oxford Glycosciences Ltd
The Art Fund
Schlumberger Evaluation and Production Services
Lundbeck Ltd
The Rothschild Foundation
The Guardian Foundation
The Tubney Charitable Trust
Norman Collison Foundation
Sun MicroSystems Ltd
Citygate
University of Warwick Science Park
2nd & 3rd Floor
Organon Laboratories Ltd
Organon Research Scotland,
Firmenich UK Ltd
Firmenich UK Ltd |
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is for the purpose of legal protest and information only. It should not be used to commit any criminal acts or harassment. SPEAK Campaigns © speakcampaigns.org. 2004 |
Many of those giving financial aid to Oxford University are regular
donors, some increasing the university's coffers by millions of
pounds. The University's benefactors and patrons exert a huge amount
of influence, so that even if they are not directly contributing to
the animal abusing departments, the threat of withholding their
funding in the future would carry a great deal of weight.