Anti Vivisection WA (Inc)

The aim of Anti Vivisection WA (Inc) is to oppose vivisection absolutely and entirely, and without attempt at compromise of any kind.

The objects for which the Society is established are to:

• Promote at all times the replacement of animals in experiments and research;
• Promote at all times the use of alternatives to animals in experiments and research;
• Promote, for the benefit of mankind and for all species on the planet, the ideals of benevolence and compassion towards all living creatures;
• Enhance human civilisation by developing humane appreciation and understanding of other species;
• Promote public awareness of the unacceptability on, not only, ethical grounds, but, more emphatically, on medical and scientific grounds, of using any animal species as a model for any other species, and of the invalidity of causing a disease or condition in order to study it;
• Strive for humane laws which provide for the welfare and rights of all animals and which protect animals from exploitation and suffering from humans;
• Promote the collection of information on alternatives to the use of laboratory animals in research and testing, and to disseminate information on the advantages of these alternatives;
• Fund and foster the development of alternatives to the use of laboratory animals in teaching;
• Fund and foster the use of teaching aids in educational institutions to replace animal dissection; including behavioural, anatomical and physiological studies; and,
• Develop educational curricula, inculcating humane attitudes towards animals.

Download a copy of our Rules of Association in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format (50 Kb) Anti Vivisection WA (Inc) Rules of Association.

Between 1982 and 1989, the Society underwent some directional and name changes, renaming ourselves the WA Group Against Vivisection (Inc) and then the Humane Society of Western Australia (Inc).

However in November 2002, to avoid confusion with other similarly named organisations and to re-focus the Society's anti vivisectionist "roots" Members adopted the new name of Anti Vivisection WA (Inc).

Anti Vivisection WA (Inc) is staffed entirely by volunteers, all monies raised are used in the promotion of the Society's aims and objects; to end experiments on animals!

The value of animal experimentation is grossly exaggerated by those with a vested interest in its preservation. Scientists who conduct research using animals need the system to remain unchanged and unchallenged in order to preserve their careers. Their salaries and professional status are frequently tied to lucrative grants and a critical element of success in grant applications is proof of prior experience and expertise.

Vivisection is also easily published and in the ‘publish or perish’ world of academic science, it takes little originality or insight to take an already well-defined animal experiment and obtain ‘new’ and ‘interesting’ findings within a short period of time.

Animal experiments are poorly suited to addressing the urgent health problems of our era, such as SARS, heart disease, cancer, stroke, AIDS and birth defects. The majority of animals in laboratories are used as so-called animal models: through genetic manipulation, surgical intervention or injection of foreign substances, researchers try to produce ailments in these animals that ‘model’ human conditions. However, the innumerable subtle, but significant differences between species severely undermines the extrapolation of animal data to other species, including humans, and delivers often dangerously misleading results.

Morally, the subjugation, pain, suffering and destruction of helpless beings is repugnant to anti-vivisectionists and the practise of animal experimentation sends an extremely harmful message: the powerful may exploit and harm the powerless, be they women, children or animals. The question we must ask ourselves is whether our domineering behaviour is appropriate for such a highly developed species as our own. If we consider ourselves to be so much better than others, then we behave in a most despicable and self-degrading manner by subjugating and destroying those we consider our inferiors.

For the sake of both humans and animals, the dangerous anachronism of animal experimentation must end and scientifically accurate, ethical, humane, non-animal methods of research introduced without delay.

References:
• A Critical Look at Animal Experimentation. Medical Research Modernization Committee, New York
• Animal Research is Wasteful and Misleading Neal D. Barnard MD and Stephen R. Kaufman MD
• Serious Moral Concern is not Species Limited. Nedim C. Buyukmihci VMD