SPEAK -

When causing pain is not enough...

It is a well documented fact that the desensitising process which takes place in the human psyche engaged in acts of violence is a very real one and nothing quite illustrates this fact than the antics of the Oxford University vivisectors. However, one vivisector in particular, Tipu Aziz, stands out from the rest with his attitude and total disregard he exhibits for the life of non human animals he is abusing.

As we have documented previously if Mr. Aziz had his way not only would cosmetics still be tested on animals but we would also be conducting painful experiments on great apes.

Most people will now be familiar with the macaque monkey, who featured in a BBC2 documentary ‘Monkeys, Rats and Me’, aired on 27th November, 2006 and who has been named 'Felix' by his tormentors. What most people will not be aware of is the fact that the word 'Felix' in Latin translates into English as meaning 'Happy'. At SPEAK we believe this was a deliberate naming of a poor macaque monkey that will be imprisoned and systematically tortured by Oxford University vivisectors, chief amongst them being Tipu Aziz.

Even Oxford University professor Colin Blakemore - now the Chief executive of the Medical Research Council and one of the main pro-vivisection protagonists - has stated that vivisection is a ‘necessary evil’, thus acknowledging that there are moral questions surrounding the debate. Naturally, this may well be considered doublespeak from someone who has himself conducted horrific animal experiments, sewing up kittens’ and baby monkeys’ eyes in research that has been considered by experts in the field as useless. Nevertheless, we have it from his own lips that vivisection is ‘evil’.

So what kind of mind, one has to ask, comes up with the idea of naming their victim with such cruel irony? Can we truly believe that an educated person in the medical profession with the required rudimentary knowledge of Latin could be so ignorant of the English translation of ‘Felix’? It is – at best – unlikely. We believe that pleading ignorance would be a poor defence, and that this is merely another example of the contempt with which non-human animals are treated in the laboratory.

The UK vivisection industry has persisted in disseminating the myth that we have the best laboratory animal welfare laws in the world, and every undercover investigation has proved it to be a myth. The horror stories prove the same thing over and over again.

Nothing has changed for the animals being abused by British vivisectors. The ‘mock’-naming of animals like 'Felix' is nothing new. In 1984, 60 South East Animal liberation League activists entered the Royal College of Surgeons at Buxton Brown Farm, Downe, in Kent with video and photographic equipment. They left with films, photographs and most importantly, reams of documents and slides.

Click image to enlargeSome of the photographs taken showed a monkey who had had the words 'crap' tattooed onto its forehead by the vivisectors at the College. That was 23 years ago and this is now, and still the vivisectors mock their helpless victims.

It takes a rare kind of courage in a person to break free from the institutional indoctrination of a system which has people believing that there is no other valid way to further knowledge than to continue clinging to a 100-year old (plus) bad science. Those that speak out against it may well risk losing their standing in the research community. Those that lack the courage to defy it do themselves and the public they allegedly serve no justice, let alone the countless human and non-human victims that litter their hallowed halls.

Only they know the true motives for their original involvement in a barbaric science. Only they can answer whether their motives had their roots in compassion, but whatever the reason, to the animals they torture, maim and kill they are monsters. Whatever their reasons, the challenge to them must surely be to move with the times and apply the advances in technology to non-exploitative research that does not torture, maim and kill defenceless animals.

It is for us to prove to them that there is a better way - that there must be a better way. If we allow this to continue unchallenged, the cost for the animals is their loss of life. The ramifications for our collective humanity are far reaching – not only does vivisection offer no answers to 21st century medicine – it puts our trust in medicines that can cause serious and mortal harm to those it is meant to help, but perhaps most importantly, it sidelines the issue of ethical and moral responsibility which we ignore at our peril.

Felix is a symbol for all of us. By speaking out for him, we speak for the legions of non-human animals held captive. We speak out for their right to be free – and yes, to be happy in the truest sense of that word.

Please support our ‘Fighting for Felix’ campaign, more information and leaflets and posters will be available shortly.

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.