We the undersigned are deeply disturbed to learn that SAS Scandinavian Airlines transports live captive animals for live experimentation.
You may not be aware that experiments forced on these animals often cause them needless fear, pain, loneliness and prolonged distress.
We are also shocked to learn that Great Apes, monkeys and Beagle dogs are among the numerous animal species that you transport for live experimentation around the world.
In just one country (the UK), nearly 4 million animal experiments were performed in a single year (1). Shockingly, nearly 4,000 of these experiments were conducted on apes and almost another 8,000 were conducted on Beagle dogs (2).
In one report, the gradual rise in the use of apes was attributed to the pharmaceutical industry's "safety testing" of drugs (2). Every year more than 305 full Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A340 aircraft are admitted as medical emergencies into hospitals from drug side effects, in England alone (3). This number almost doubled in 10 years (3), in spite of the sheer scale of experiments conducted on animals (1,2).
Animal experiments subject these sentient beings to immense needless pain and suffering. These sentient beings are capable of thought and emotion, including love, pain and suffering.
We plead with you to immediately stop causing further harm to these inquisitive and intelligent animals, by immediately discontinuing your participation in the animal experimentation business.
Many other international companies have already taken the ethical decision to stop transporting live animals for experimentation. We hope that you also make the same ethical decision and are confident that your passengers and customers will support you with this decision.
References:==========
(1.) HOME OFFICE, Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, GREAT BRITAIN, 2009
(2.) HOME OFFICE, Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, GREAT BRITAIN, 2005
(3.) Tai-Yin Wu, Min-Hua Jen, Alex Bottle, Mariam Molokhia, Paul Aylin, Derek Bell, Azeem Majeed. Ten-year trends in hospital admissions for adverse drug reactions in England 1999–2009. J R Soc Med 2010: 103: 239–250. DOI 10.1258/jrsm.2010.100113 239
