By Roberto Peccei Vice Chancellor for Research
In your article on March 23 entitled “Animal activists may sue” (page 1) you repeated the allegation of a group of activists who were protesting in front of the house of UCLA Professor Nelson Freimer that he abuses primates, depriving them of water. You should know that this allegation is totally false. Dr. Freimer does not keep monkeys in small cages, he does not separate mothers from infants, he does not deprive monkeys of water, and he is not involved in any procedures that cause pain and suffering to the animals, as has been repeatedly stated or implied by the protestors. In fact Professor Freimer conducts groundbreaking genetic research — which creates opportunities for important scientific breakthroughs in our understanding of and ability to prevent and treat human diseases — and which has minimal impact on the research animals. Professor Freimer is among our most distinguished faculty members and is internationally recognized for his research on mental illnesses.
The mischaracterization of Professor Freimer’s work, as well as the unwarranted personal attacks on his character and professional reputation, is something that we at UCLA feel needs to be corrected for the record, particularly for the Santa Monica community and his neighbors. Unfortunately, like many other unfounded and malicious statements bandied about by animal activists these lies are meant to turn public opinion against animal research. Such research is a necessary and extremely well regulated research tool in our fight against disease.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 2, 2007. Read the original PDF.