Animal rights activists demand info on testing By Maria Asselin-Roy, Staff Reporter ccording to the University of British Aan student newspaper, The Ubyssey, the university is one of the largest bio medical labs campuses in Canada. The university’s animal care centre distributes approximately 100,000 animals per year. These animals include cats, dogs, pigs, mice, rabbits, rats, primates and others that are used for UBC research projects. Vancouver animal rights groups are working to unleash information on the animal experimentation done throughout the university. Starting in the beginning of October, sixty advocacy groups that consisted of about 300 volunteers were led by Stop UBC Animal Research. In a Thanksgiving Day letter sent to UBC’s president, the advocacy groups asked the school president and other board members to put a stop to animal experimentation. Along with the group Stop UBC Animal Research, other organizations such as PETA, Animal Alliance of Canada, Animal Defenders International, the Vancouver Humane Society and several more urged UBC to provide details about its animal research program. The group’s goals are: to know the numbers and different species of animals that were used in labs over the past 10 years, obtain research information, find out who and what company is providing the funding for such experiments, as well as see photos and/or video footage on what goes on in these bio medical labs. There has been no way of knowing up-to date information about the animals, and the group leader Brian Vincent does not think this should be the case. According to the groups, having this information out for the public will allow people to decide how they feel about the issues, and whether they want to continue the experiments or not. “Our ultimate goal is to end animal research at UBC. We are trying to find out information about the UBC program now but in Canada much of that information is hidden from the public.” Brian Vincent says. The groups also claim that they have been “repeatedly denied Freedom of Information requests and meetings with UBC officials.” Much of the university’s research done on animals is funded by public taxpayer’s money. The groups believe that since most of the money comes from the public, the people of the Lower Mainland have a right to know what the university is doing to animals with the public money. Vincent says that the university claims the information about the labs is there for the public, however the information is only available in published studies. Published studies are not current and are not always accurate concerning the research methods used. Vincent also says that we should have a transparent system like the United States. He says that the National Institutes of Health as well as the U.S. Department post current information about animal experiments online for the public to see. Group leaders and other concerned citizens are questioning why UBC is so defensive of animal research, and what exactly do they have to hide. Douglas College is Sending Canadians to Africa By Maria Asselin-Roy, Staff Reporter s a part of Douglas’s Uganda Are the college is sending a number of young people from all across Canada to hospitals, libraries, and other community centres in the country of Uganda. Last week, about fifteen Canadians aged 30 and under left the country for five months on a paid internship. Douglas College is partnered with the Canadian International Development Agency. The agency, or CIDA, is “bridging the gap in income, health, education, and the quality of life that exists in our interdependent world.” The agency’s goal is to help those countries less fortunate, as well as getting students involved with the world on a multicultural scale. According to the minister of the CIDA, “Canada is committed in continuing to play a leading role in the global response to HIV and other global dilemmas.” Douglas College was happy to participate. Some of the participants are going to Uganda’s Masaka Regional Referral 4 Hospital in order to help patients battling HIV and AIDS, surgical conditions, mental illnesses, as well as other crucial health needs. Other participants will be giving assistance to the community library projects with the Ugandan Community Library Association, as well as working with the Child Restoration Outreach which focuses on children and youth living on the streets. Douglas College has worked with Uganda in the past since 2006. Just over twenty students from the Community Social Service Worker Program and the Co-Occurring Disorders, Early Childhood Education, and Dental programs travelled to Uganda for ten weeks, learning the practicum placements with several agencies and companies. Uganda is improving rapidly, but it still has a long way to go in terms of health problems and education. The students who participated in this benefitted in ways of both education and life experience, and with minimal effort are making the world a better place one step at a time. Richman Restaurant Cantonese & Szechaun Cuisine 601 Agnes St. at 6th St. 604-520-1808 DOUGLAS COLLEGE STUDENTS: September Special: $4.50 Fried Rice or Chow Mein + 1 item (over 10 items to choose from!) (Douglas College ID Required) Lunch Special $6.40 (TAX included) (MON-FRI 11am - 3pm)