The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-11
Charles Darwin on svivise ction.
London Times.


The following letter has been addressed by
Mr.. Charles Darwin to Professor Holmgren,
of Upsala, in answer to a request for an
expression of his opinion on the question of
the night to make experiments on living
animals for scientific purposeS--a question
which is now being much discussed in
Sweden:
Down. Beckenham, April IA, 1881.
DEAR SIR-ln answer TO your courteous letter of
April :, have no objection to express my opinion
with respect to the right of experimenting on
living animals / use this latter expression as
more correct and comprehensive than that of vivi-
section. You are at liberty TO make any use of
this letter which you see fit, but If published
should wish the whole TO appear. have all my
life been strong advocate OF humanity to ami
mails, and have done what could in my writings
to enforce this duty. Several years ago. when the
agitation against Psychologists commenced in En-
practiced, and useless suffering caused to ami
mails; and / was led to think that it
might be advisable to have an act of Parliament
on the subject. then took an active part in try
ing TO get bill passed, such as would have re-
moved all just cause of complaint, and at the
same time have left Psychologists free 10 pursue
their researches-a bill very different from the
act which has since been passed. 1t is right TO
add that the investigation of the matter by a
ROYAL Commission. proved that the accusations
made against our English Psychologists were
false From all that l have heard however,
fear that in some parts of Europe little regard S
paid TO the sufferings of animals, and if this be
the case / should be glad to hear of legislation
against inhumanity in any such country On
the other hand, / knew that physiology can not
possibly progress except by means of experiments
on living animals, and feel the deepest convic-
ton that he who retards the progress OF physiol-
ogy commits a crime against mankind Any one
who remembers as can, the state OF this science
half a century ago must admit that IL has made
immense progress and II is now progressing at an
cverincreasing rate.
What Improvements in medical practice may
be directly attributed to physiological research is
a question which can be properly discussed only
by those psychologists and medical practitioners
but. far as can learn, the benefits already
great However this may be, no one, unless he is
grossly ignorant of what science has done for
man kind, can entertain any doubt of the incalcu-
liable benefits which will hereafter be derived
from physiology, not only by man, buI by the
lower animals. Look. for instance, at Pasteur's
results in modifying the germs of the most ma
lignant diseases from which, as it so happens,
animals will in the rst place receive more relief
than man. Let IL be remembered how many
lives and what fearful amount of suffering have
been saved by the knowledge gained of parasitic
worms through the experiments of Virchow and
others on living animals. In the future every
one will be astonished at the ingratitude shown,
at least in England to these benefactors of man
kind. AS for myself, permit me to assure you
that honor, and shall always honor, every one
who advances the noble science of physiology.
Dear sir. yours faithfully. CHARLES DARWIN.
To Professor HOlmQren.