UC Irvine Cries Foul To Erroneous Watchdog Claims

IRVINE, CA — The University of California Irvine has issued a rebuttal to a watchdog animal research group after "false statements" were made regarding the euthanasia of six research animals. Stop Animal Exploitation Now animal research group's spokesperson Michael Budkie told multiple media outlets in a press release, Tuesday, that the school admitted to the deaths of four rabbits, a sheep and a pig in correspondence to a federal government funding agency. SAEN claimed that the correspondence about the loss of life was "hidden, never to be shared," however UCI spokesperson Tom Vasich stated that those reports were a matter of public record.

The Foundation for Biomedical Research told Patch that they support UC Irvine in the face of the SAEN accusations. In the case of the six animals, one was used in research to create a new heart valve, another for creating new burn treatment protocols and the third for ophthalmology research.

"Live animals are only used when necessary, as a critical component in the discovery of cures and treatments that improve human (and sometimes animal) lives," Vasich said.

SAEN stated that they "filed an online complaint" with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the "negligent loss of life," and that UCI be charged to the full extent of the law, however those charges have never been brought to bear by the USDA.

According to UCI, the statements made by Budkie were "inaccurate." There was no "negligence," and at no time has the university been in violation of USDA regulations.

Matthew R. Bailey, President of the Foundation for Biomedical Research told Patch in a released statement that "the animal rights groups' subversive accusations against research facilities are preposterous and dangerous."

"They are attacking dedicated professionals to whom all Americans owe significant medical and scientific advancements. From basic pain medications and vaccines to life-saving procedures, animal research helps both humans AND animals.

“The United States’ research regulations are among the strictest in the world. Institutions must meet the multi-layered regulatory requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and the US Public Health Service Policy. Each facility is mandated by law to operate an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to regularly review research and to ensure animal use is necessary.

“Animal research is invaluable in the search for cures and treatment of diseases like Zika, Ebola, Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s HIV/AIDS, and Malaria. Without animals in research, critical information for discoveries would not be possible. Current studies are, among other things, helping stroke victims and wounded soldiers regain the use of their bodies or become independent with artificial limbs.

“Some argue that technology and microchips can replace animals in research. But supercomputers with sophisticated programs can’t accurately predict the weather, much less accurately predict the reactions and side-effects from a drug once inside a person. So, for the time being, research with animals is still the surest path to finding ways to prevent diabetes, better treatments for heart disease, and a cure for cancer.”

University of California Irvine stated they are committed to reducing the number of animals used, seeking out alternatives to animal based research whenever possible, Vasich told Patch.

"Our responsibility to the animals in our care is taken extremely seriously," the UCI statement said. "We are committed to their humane treatment and respect their important role in saving the lives of our friends, family, and fellow humans worldwide."

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