body is concerned with ani- mal care, Rapley argued but was saddened because “A university should be as free and open a place as possi- ble”, yet many institutions have been forced into expen- sive and cumbersome secu- rity.

Rapley also pre- sented some curious infor- mation on the animal rights phenomenon where a_ sur- vey done by Animals Agenda found that women are the primary driving force. Mem- bership is overwhelmingly caucasion; 80% live in cities or suburbs; 84% are college graduates; 25% hold a Mas-

ters or PhD degree: and 80% earn between $25,000 and $50,000 U.S. per year.

The “most prestiguous” researchers must and are starting to speak out, Rapley said. “Without research it is very hard to do anything to protect habitats and species, the politicians will never lis- ten unless we can document things in a clear cut man- ner”, Rapley said. Tasker said “The key is to act on this issue rather than to sim- ply react.”

Rapley descibed how sci-

tific knowledge derived from basic animal research was es- sential to nesting Bald Eagles

“Without | research it is very hard to do anything

to :

protect habitats and species, the politi- cians will never lis- ten unless we can document things in a clear cut manner”

along lake Erie for the first time in twenty years, and in reintroducing Marmosets, a very commonly used labora- tory animal, back into the wilds. “A lot of research is undertaken just for animals” Rapley said.

In biomedical research, animal experiments are used to increase knowledge, and to test possible cures for can- cer, artherosclero- sis,alzheimers disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and AIDS. “T care about animals”, Rap- ley said “but I care about people too. There are peo- ple suffering out there and there are cures we need to look for”

A research project in- volving animals “must show evidence that there is scien- tific merit before it is ap- proved” Rapley said.

Dr.

gave an

Sarah Mclaughlin excellent seminar on “Education for technical service in laboratory animal care”. The majority of Lab- oratrory animal-Human con- tact is with laboratory an-

imal technicians. “Five to

ten years ago I wouldn’t have been on the agenda” animal care has

but “suddenly become a very hot issue”,

Mclaughlin said.

“The public wants to be reassured that those work- ing on Laboratory animals are well qualified” Mclaugh- lin said. A point of con- tention raised in the audi- ence was that the major granting agencies often do not provide researchers with enough money to hire per- sonnel with the top quality of training in animal care.

Most of the participants at the symposium agreed that it was part of their re- sponsibility to continue to lobby the granting institu- tions of Canada to support a high level of animal care by supplying researchers with the funds necessary to hire highly trained technicians.

Education for Animal Technicians is necessary be- cause of moral and ethical obligations, documentation for assessment, legal obliga-

tions, and increased public concern McLaughlin said

There has been a tremendous increase in the number of jobs for graduates of laboratory animal courses in community colleges, Mc- Claughlin said. The socio- dynamics of the enrollment in these courses is chang- ing: whereas women used to make up 90% of the students, men, graduate and mature students are now enrolling in greater numbers. A new program in Truro is being

started this year.

Dr. tive secretary of the Cana- dian Association of Labora-

Don Mckay, execu-

tory Animals, closed out the talks. need us as stewards” Mckay

“Laboratory animals said. He noted they have “never had a high level of support from the Maritime provinces” but is looking for that to be changing.

C.A.L.A.S. is assessing registration for an- imal technicians and tech- Trained are necessary so that animal

active in

nologists. people needs can be recognized, re- search can be improved, and preventative medicine used for maintaining disease free colonies of animals, Mckay said.

“The whole laboratory ani- mal field in Canada is cont’ uously changing” Mckay sz but he felt that C.A.L.A.. “can be very active in set ting the standard for the fu.

ture”. As part of its man- date C.A.L.A.S. provides a forum for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge in animal care. Increased public relations is necessary. Mclaughlin said the public is often surprised to find out “there are people working in animal research that actually care about the animals”.