Milford chronicle., 1961-02-24
5000

graphic union OF the land within our bOr-
ders.
5000
A CURB ON RESEARCH
There is a grave threat to scientific free
dom in a proposed federal law that would
impose severe limitations on the use of ami
mails for research purposes. This threat is
OF great concern not only to the scientific
community, but also to the entire public.
The measure would require anyone oper-
ating under grant from the federal gov
ernment-and that includes very high pro-
portion of our scientiSts-to refrain from
using live animals for research until other
means have been exhausted. Those engaged
IN research would have to submit project
plans describing in advance all procedures
to be used, and they would be subject to
policing by federal inspectors.
There are two dangers in this. The rate
OF scientific progress would be enormously
retarded mans war against disease would
be hindered to a great extent. Beyond that
there is the fundamental danger that arises
when any attempt is made to regiment and
control the minds of free men. This is the
very essence of science in our kind of So
ciety.
Presumably those seeking this restric-
tive legislation are well motivated; presum-
ably they act out of compassion for animals
that are used for experimental purposes.
The feeling does them credit. To degree
most Americans share it. But the truth is
that much of what is known about curing
disease has come from animal experimental
ton. The question is whether the humane
use of animals in research is justified by the
iInmeasurable benefits it has brought, and
doubtless will continue to bring, to the hu-
man race. We say the answer is yes.
&S@&%
THROUGH THE CENTURIES
If you want to understand the world in
which you live and the activity of peoples
that now populate the globe, you must, first
of all, know much about past history and
the experiences of the human race in the
years that have preceded us.
The man, or women, who attempts to
pass judgment upon human activity, solely
upon the basis of personal experience, has
overlooked the long tenure of man on the
earth and the varied experiences that have
combined to create our present civilization.
To judge the human race today we must
look backward, not a decade nor a genera
ton, but, maybe a few hundred years at
least
In this way, if you can get accurate in
formation as to the economic political and
spiritual condition of earlier peoples, you
will be able to appraise the present position
of mankind. To those who critically seek to
understand tne way people lived, say In the
10th century, and the organization of men
and women into the forms of human activi-
ty, it is possible to perceive some changes
and to observe few definite trends in hu-
man behavior, however expressed.
One of the predominant trends of the
past few centuries has been the gradual ac-
ceptance on the part of government, of re-
sponsibility fer the physical well-being of
people. 1t is evident in a variety of activi-
ties. including education, health, vocational,
social and economic fields The trend has
been denounced as a "step toward social
ism" and the destruction of private initi-
ative" ever since it got underway, and it
will be so denounced for the next three CEN
turtles.
S~~@~~%
THE AMATEUR THIEVES
A woman store detective is convinced
thet 1--WE are turning into nation of
thieves" and that nine out Of 10 people are
dishonest. Her Indictment commands at
tention as one more indication Of the need
for moral reawakening in this country.
Dorothy Grove notes that in shoplifting
"the profits outweigh the risks" because of
court leniency and the reluctance of man.
agement to press charges against any other
than professionals. The big problem, she
writes, is not posed by the professionals but
by otherwise respectable folk-housewives
clerks, juveniles, even occasional policemen
who take fling at stealing.
Dorothy Grove thinks the answer is
tougher laws, and enforcement without re-
gard to social status or credit rating 1t is
hard to dispute her conclusion.