I HAVE been outraged to learn that the Vatican has approved as "morally acceptable" the use of animal organ transplants for humans.
A report issued by the Pontifical Academy for Life on behalf of the Vatican refers to humans as "superior" to animals, who have been placed by God at the "service of people", and thus the sacrifice of animals is considered justified if there is "relevant benefit to humans".
The belief that man's supposed superiority can be used to justify the almost wanton exploitation of animals in laboratories is completely out of step with modern-day thinking, both on moral and scientific grounds. It certainly is not morally acceptable to abuse or kill an animal simply because we have the ability to do it.
Transplant experiments cause immense suffering to the animals involved. Surely in the 21st Century we need to elevate our intellectual consideration of the ethical issues and widen our circle of compassion to include all God's creatures.
WENDY HIGGINS,
Campaigns Director, British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.
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