Update from Voice for Ethical Research at Oxford
We'd like to begin this brief update on VERO's activities with a suggestion. We are thinking of sending out an occasional printed newsletter to our supporters in future, for those who don't have email or find the printed medium more readable. If you would like to receive this and haven't already given us your postal address, please email or drop us a line at P.O. Box 692, Oxford OX1 9DR. More details can be found on our website www.vero.org.uk. Many thanks!
Review of Michaelmas Term 2007
Once again, we had a varied programme of talks and discussions beginning with Peter Tatchell, human and animal rights campaigner, VERO supporter, and prospective Green Party candidate for Oxford East. Peter spoke about the failures of conventional animal-based AIDS research and the pressing need for investment in human-based techniques. Our next speaker was Mark Gold, author and animal rights campaigner and former Director of Animal Aid, on the prophets and proponents of humane living, from classical times to the 20th century. Next on the agenda was a showing of the film Safer Medicines, a fascinating survey of advanced techniques in medical research produced by Europeans for Medical Progress and presented by Dr Margaret Clotworthy, Scientific Consultant to EMP. Rounding off the term was a talk by our own Paul Freestone on 'The Future of Food'. This connected our theme of animal exploitation and medicine to a more general tragedy: the story of how commercial interests, government subsidies, and our own loss of food sense, have corrupted this most basic of human relations with the physical world. Paul illustrated his talk with samples of his own cooking, and a lively discussion continued over refreshments. This was a feature of all the term's events, which we hope made them more friendly and productive.
Our programme continues this term with the following events:
Programme Of Events For Hilary Term 2008
All events to be held at Mansfield College, Seminar Room East
Week 3 (Thursday 31 January, 5.00-6.30 pm):
"REACH* for the Future": reflections on the EU's new chemical testing programme by Andre Menache, Scientific Consultant, Antidote Europe.Come along and find out about the latest advances in non animal-based toxicology for the benefit of human health and safety.
*(REACH = Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals)
Week 5 (Thursday 14 February, 5.00-6.30pm):
"Do We Really Need All Those Medicines?" Speaker: Dr Katherine Morris, Fellow in Philosophy at Mansfield College and founding VERO member.Medical anthropology and medical sociology suggest that the "medicalisation of life" may be not only inappropriate but, paradoxically, detrimental to health.