Paul McCartney writes to NASA against animal testing

From PETA, August 26, 2010:

Live and let die live: So goes Sir Paul McCartney’s new hit … against NASA’s pricey plan to bankroll the zapping of dozens of squirrel monkeys in cruel radiation experiments.

While his animal rights efforts are legendary, many people may not know that Paul also has a ton of space cred. It’s true: He’s an enthusiastic supporter of space exploration who has performed for the crew of STS-114 and worked with NASA to beam Beatles music into space.

In his letter to the space agency, Paul writes, “I believe NASA has the ingenuity to investigate the health effects of space travel without confining and experimenting on animals as was done in the old days. It would be terribly disappointing if in our zeal to explore new frontiers and to learn about the fascinating universe where we live we began to regress in our treatment of the animals with whom we share this planet.”

Surely the rocker’s support of our campaign against NASA’s proposed radiation experiments will cause public disapproval of the research to skyrocket. Sir Paul joins other stars and the “ex-s” (as in ex-engineer and experts) who have criticized NASA’s misguided plan. Please join them by speaking out too.

Dear Mr. Bolden: I recently learned from my friends at PETA that NASA plans to fund an experiment in which squirrel monkeys will be exposed to dangerous doses of radiation and then caged for years to study the effects on them, which are likely to be cancer, brain tumours, and early death.

As a supporter of NASA’s mission and continued space exploration, I have had the pleasure to work with NASA on multiple occasions. In 2005, I performed for the crew of STS-114 as they flew over 200 miles above the Earth. More recently I worked with NASA to beam Beatles music into space.

I believe NASA has the ingenuity to investigate the health effects of space travel without confining and experimenting on animals as was done in the old days. It would be terribly disappointing if in our zeal to explore new frontiers and to learn about the fascinating universe where we live we began to regress in our treatment of the animals with whom we share this planet. May I appeal to you to cancel this experiment?

Sincerely,

Paul McCartney

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