I have already constructed very lengthy, well constructed email that I have sent to all societies campaining against NIRAH. I have yet to recieve replies as i suspect I have stumped alot of campaingers with a well constructed and CORRECT point of view.
Can we read it? And perhaps make our own decisions on if it was well constructed?!
Only kidding.
This will be an interesting topic I think, and one that will run and run right up until NIRAH either opens, or is over turned at a Judical Review.
While for aquatic fans like us (esp. those in the UK) it will be heaven on earth its not hard to see the point of view of animal activists, even if some of them are a little hypocritical and becoming more and more malicious.
What worries me is that some of the more hardline 'fighters' may get wind of this and join the bandwagon. You only have to search on google for 'Huntingdon Life Science' to see whats already happening.
Take for example the case of the new research lab at Oxford Uni. It being built not only to undertake research on both animals on behalf of humans, but also to research the treatment of animals.
Yet before the work commenced two companies pulled out of the construction, and numerous others of the design etc. as they were threatened by those who, by their own admission, had no real knowledge of what was going on!
Anyway, I personally won't be signing it. While its good to see so many people supporting it, I think its a fruitless task. NIRAH will be built - either in this form, or something similar. There are too many stakeholders with too much to loose if they don't.
Ultimteley, let us not forget that capture and resarch is no where as important as conservation of existing habitats.