Written by Jeff Mackey
A chemical-testing program put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1998 had the potential to cost millions of animals their lives in laboratory tests. But as a newly published review by PETA scientists shows, a fraction of that number were used after PETA reached an agreement with the EPA that established groundbreaking guidelines for the project.
The High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program was developed in closed-door meetings with the American Chemistry Council and the Environmental Defense Fund and was launched without any public review or comment—but it didn't escape PETA's notice.
After months of discussions, congressional testimony, and public education tactics—including sending a giant "bunny" to follow then–presidential candidate and chief HPV supporter Al Gore on the campaign trail—PETA reached a historic deal with the Clinton administration that resulted in the EPA's issuing guidance on reducing animal use to participating chemical companies.
As the program dragged on for more than a decade, either PETA or the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reviewed and commented on every test plan in which animal tests were proposed in order to ensure adherence to the guidance.
PETA scientists' review of the HPV program has now been published in the prestigious, peer-reviewed journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental Health Perspectives. The review shows that animal welfare guidance was inconsistently applied by both chemical companies and the EPA. 127,000 animals were used throughout the program—a heartbreaking toll, yet a much smaller number than the 3.5 million who would have been killed in a worst-case scenario.
Grouping similar chemicals and submitting existing test data saved the largest number of animals. Combining tests, using the weight of existing evidence and experience, and replacing animal tests with modern, superior non-animal methods further reduced the number of animals used.
While the agreement that PETA secured in the HPV program saved millions of lives and represented an important step forward, inflicting unnecessary suffering and a miserable death on even one animal is unacceptable. PETA won't rest until laboratory experiments on animals are consigned to the history books—and you can help make that happen!
Written by Michelle Kretzer
Have you been wanting to go vegan but just aren't sure how to start? You're not alone. More and more people are discovering that they can feel better, live longer, and stop contributing to environmental devastation and cruelty to animals with a plant-based diet—but that they need a little guidance in making the switch.
Enter the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine's Kickstart Intensive. This two-and-a-half-day program features classes, discussions with nutrition experts, cooking demonstrations, and complimentary meals to get aspiring vegans well on their way. Billed as a "life-changing experience," Kickstart Intensive covers topics such as breaking food addictions, permanent weight control, and power foods for the brain. Attendees will receive a personal year-long support system to help keep them on track, including conference calls and online resources.
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Kickstart Intensive will take place from October 4 to 6 in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit the Kickstart Intensive website. Can't make the event? Request a free copy of PETA's vegetarian/vegan starter kit for helpful information, recipes, and tips to make going vegan as easy as eating asparagus, bananas, and cauliflower.
Why must every American president shoot the obligatory "and here I am chowing down on a burger" photograph? Best bet? To please the meat lobby and because of the old-fashioned idea of what "being American" is all about: no falafel; it's red meat and guns for me. Mr. Obama is no exception, often deliberately choosing hot dogs and burgers for his photo ops with visiting heads of state.
Well, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has taken the POTUS to task for promoting foods that are known to contribute to the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and that have been linked to cancer. PCRM has started a petition asking the White House to ban staged photos that show the president, the first family, the vice president, or the president's Cabinet eating unhealthy foods such as processed meats.
"The White House would never set up a photo op showing the president buying cigarettes, so why is it okay to show him eating a hot dog?" asked Susan Levin, PCRM's nutrition education director.
You can sign the petition and ask the pres to set a good example for Americans by eating healthy food. Some Obama Oatmeal With Presidential Peaches sounds nice.
PETA promotes and educates the public on the benefits of a vegetarian diet. PETA does not directly or indirectly participate in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine erected this billboard in Chicago to help people in the hot-dog capital reduce their colorectal cancer risk—no small task since 39 percent of Americans don't even know what the colon is. Seriously. Although I'm guessing a much greater percentage don't know what's in a hot dog.
Besides mechanically separated meat, bones, connective tissue, and the stuff they put in instant hand warmers, hot dogs and other processed meats are chockfull of cancer-causing nitrates, which greatly increase the risk of deadly colorectal cancer.
Given the choice, I think I'd rather put down the bun and save my buns.
Written by PETA
Step into any store and you can't deny it—swimsuit season is almost here. Fear not, dessert devotees! You can be ready to make waves while catching waves in no time. In his new book (21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart: Boost Metabolism, Lower Cholesterol, and Dramatically Improve Your Health), Dr. Neal Barnard illustrates how a plant-based diet will let you shed pounds and improve your overall health in just three weeks.
Dr. Barnard is the president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the author of several best-selling books on health and nutrition. His 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart also discusses foods that tame the appetite, burn calories, and fight cancer. Dr. Barnard also offers a "21-Day Vegan Kickstart" program online, and his nutrition guidelines are the subject of an upcoming PBS television series. There are so many great ways to get healthy and trim, you'll be buying a new swimsuit before the stores have even finished putting them on the shelves.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
Restaurants are already reluctant to post calorie counts; can you imagine how hard it is to get fast-food joints to post a skull and crossbones—or at least a warning sign—letting customers know that their grilled chicken contains a carcinogen? It's pretty dang hard—but the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) just got one step closer to making it a reality. A California appeals court just ruled that PCRM can proceed with its lawsuit against fast-food companies that sell grilled chicken without telling consumers that it contains a chemical that's linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Under California law, businesses must post warning signs when they expose people to chemicals that are known to cause cancer. But get this: Some fast-food companies are countering that the signs should be thwarted because they "contradict" federal guidelines ensuring that food be cooked enough to kill food-borne bacteria.
Comforting, isn't it? It seems that any way you cook it, chicken is a health hazard.
Written by Heather Moore
Scarlett Johansson and Tobey Maguire have already let their congressional representatives know that they support HR 4870, the Healthy School Meals Act, which would require schools to offer more vegetarian options in cafeterias. Now it's your turn: Today, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is hosting a School-Lunch Lobbyist Call-In Day. Please call your representative and politely ask him or her to co-sponsor HR 4870. You might also want to mention that you can't stomach cruelty to animals or greasy, cholesterol-laden mystery meats and pizza boats—and that you're sick of hearing your classmates chant, "Fatty, fatty two-by-four, can't fit through the classroom door."
Anyone can call—students, parents, teachers, and everyone else who's ever set foot inside a school cafeteria or shuddered to think what they're being served in one. It only takes a minute and it's much easier than a math quiz.
As you know, the situation in Haiti is dire, and aid is still desperately needed for all victims of the earthquake. Last week, PETA joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) to assist animals in the area—this week, PETA staff members are baking their buns off for this weekend's national vegan fundraiser, and all proceeds will go toward helping the victims of this disaster. Our vegan desserts and treats are sure to be delicious and—since we'll be following baking tips from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine—healthy.
Want to get involved? Check the long list of bake-sale participants at Post Punk Kitchen—if there isn't an event organized in your area, sign up to organize one. Then tell us which one (or three!) of PCRM's recipes you'll be making.
Written by Karin Bennett
I am deeply concerned that unhealthy school lunches are contributing to our nation's childhood obesity epidemic. School is tough enough already—schools shouldn't have to put up with lunches swimming in fat and cholesterol. It's time for healthier options. —Tobey Maguire
I am deeply concerned that unhealthy school lunches are contributing to our nation's childhood obesity epidemic. School is tough enough already—schools shouldn't have to put up with lunches swimming in fat and cholesterol. It's time for healthier options.
—Tobey Maguire
The Spider-Man star has teamed up with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to encourage public schools to escape the unhealthy web (yeah, I went there) of greasy cafeteria fare and offer healthy vegetarian options. He also says that as a father, "[T]his issue is tremendously important …"
If only all dads were that fly. (All right, I'm done. Promise.)
Written by Shawna Flavell
Through the Freedom of Information Act, the Physician's Committeee for Responsible Medicine (PRCM) has obtained video footage of several Department of Defense military trauma training exercises.
In training exercises that are supposed to simulate the effects of a nerve agent attack, monkeys experience seizures and difficulty breathing. In another exercise, live goats are cut open—causing severe bleeding—while the instructor repeatedly acknowledges the differences between the training and human casualties. All this suffering is inflicted in order to train military medics—who would learn more if they were provided with state-of-the-art simulators and rotations in trauma hospitals.
We have been working hard to eliminate these cruel exercises in the U.S. and in countries around the globe. After PETA campaigned against cruel dog stabbings, Bolivia banned all animal use from military training. Now, Georgia Congressmember Hank Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is calling on the Army to phase out antiquated trauma training on animals.
Urge your congressperson to co-sign Congressmember Hank Johnson's letter and help put an end to the military's war on animals.
Posted by Karin Bennett
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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