From: wheeler@super.org (Ferrell S. Wheeler)
Subject: News Blurbs 7
Organization: Supercomputing Research Center (Bowie, MD)
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 23:39:19 GMT


+ Dutch Animal Rights activists are raising ethical concerns
surrounding the world's first genetically engineered bull with
a gene for the production of a human milk protein.  "Pharmers"
predict this technology will soon offer cattle bred only for
their pharmaceutical worth.  Opponents argue this technology
is not necessary, there are alternatives available for the
drug production, and expressed concerns over the welfare of
the animals.
 
+ A 22-year-old Wisconsin man, Brian W. Wolf, was sentenced to
20 days in jail, received a $312 fine and 18 months probation,
ordered to pay $186 in veterinary bills, perform 150 hours of
community service and seek psychological evaluation for
setting two cats on fire.  The two six-month old cats, doused
with butane then ignited, lived.
 
+ Senator Paul Simon (D-IL) announced the three major
television networks will conform to new standards on limiting
entertainment violence.  Among the items to be limited is
"gratuitous depiction of animal abuse."
 
+  Freeman Cosmetic Corporation has launched an aggressive
advertising campaign in California which includes sponsoring
the Tournament of Roses and posting colorful billboards.
Freeman offers natural personal care products that are never
tested on animals.
 
+ The Florida black bear will be among the first animals
protected as a result the settlement reached between the
Interior Department and several animal protection and
environmental groups, including the lead plaintiff, Fund for
Animals.  Florida bear hunts will come to an end and the bear
must be identified as a "threatened" species by 1996.  The
amount of plants and animals protected under the Endangered
Species Act may soon double or triple.  Other animals expected
to make the 1996 listing are the Marianas flying fox and Jemez
mountain salamander.  The groups maintained the Fish and
Wildlife Service was illegally delaying protection for
endangered species and the government must respond faster to
the issue.
 
+ The NRA has now aligned itself with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.   Among the programs being promoted under
this agreement that's "not necessarily geared to hunting" are
training sites for new hunters and providing easier access on
refuges for physically disabled hunters.
 
+ A 29-year-old employee of the San Antonio Zoo, Jubal Cox,
was killed when an Asian elephant lifted him up with her trunk
and slammed him to the ground.  Ginny, the 37-year-old female
elephant, had been captive at the zoo for 30 years and was
used to give rides to children.  Officials report the rides
have been suspended indefinitely.
 
+ California officials have closed a Tilden Park roadway in an
effort to protect newts navigating across the road for their
winter migration.  Previously, as many as 200 newts were
killed daily on the road.  Commuters were using the path as a
shortcut.
 
+ A U.S. District judge rejected the plea bargain for alleged
orangutan smuggler Matthew Block after he received over 300
letters from animal advocates protesting the agreement. Block
is charged with exporting six orangutans to Yugoslavia and
Russia via Thailand in crates marked "birds".  Half were found
dead in an abandoned crate without food and water.  Block
intended to plead guilty to two felony counts if two others
were dropped.
 
Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals