Call for debate
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Debate Open public debate is the lifeblood of a participatory democracy. Stiffling debate can be a democracy-killer. We agree that publicly funded geologists and other publicly funded earth scientists have no responsibility to debate proponents of a flat earth because the flat earth hypothosis is undeniably a fringe idea. Debate can give respectability to claims that do not warrant much notice. But this is far from the case in this instance. Few honest observers claim that vivisection is not of concern to the public. Even the US government believes this to be the case. The opening sentence of the 2005 USDA audit of enforcement of the federal law regulating the use of certain species in research labs states:
The University of Wisconsin's recent refusals to engage in open public debate about this matter should alert the public that it may have something to hide. The Isthmus articles, linked to just above, led to Dr. Eric Sandgren agreeing to participate in an Isthmus-sponsored debate with Rick Bogle. You can read the news coverage here. This is a glimmer of hope, but much more discussion is needed. The university should be organizing and leading a sustained discussion with the public about its controversial use of animals. Only sustained and open public debate and discussion about this matter is likely to achieve a reasoned and popular course of action. Contact UW decision-makers, tell them how happy you are about the debate. Ask them to do all they can to continue the discussion.
Dr. Paul M. Sondel Kevin P. Reilly, President Rita Sears, Special Assistant to the President Chancellor John D. Wiley (Says UW will never debate.)
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