SOME 90 years ago our order, which differs from regular Freemasonry in that we admit both men and women, was deeply involved in the crusade to end vivisection or experiments on animals, which is still a blot on our society.
Today, many alternatives are available - ranging from tissue cultures to computers. They are cheap, efficient and free from the taint of cruelty. Furthermore they recognise the basic fact that animals and humans are different.
We do not need to look very far to see why these alternatives are not used. Animal experiments are big business. A constant supply of animals is needed, some three million a year.
Supplying these and the equipment used has become an industry.
God Himself gave us dominion over His animals. This implies responsibility. We are the stewards, not the lords of creation. The animals cannot speak; they can only suffer. We must speak for them.
THOMAS HOWARTH, (Lodge of St Raphael, International Co-Freemasonry), Fowler Height Close, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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