They were fire-bombed, shot at and attacked by angry mobs. Some freedom riders died and many were injured. African-Americans have another reason to be offended by these protests. The very research targeted by animal rights advocates stands to benefit African-American families the most. Primate research holds the greatest promise of finding a vaccine for AIDS, the leading cause of death among African-Americans between the ages of 25 and 44 years.
Prostate cancer is another major killer of African-American men.
Finding effective new treatments, or perhaps one day a cure, will be impossible without animal studies. Or consider birth defects the second leading cause of death among African-American infants. This year alone, the ten leading diseases among African-Americans will claim almost a quarter of a million lives. Primate research is not an option, it is a necessity. Researchers are racing to find alternatives, and, with luck and hard work, animal research may one day not be necessary.