Researchers at the University of Guelph inserted an E. Coli gene mixed with a snippet of mouse DNA into pig chromosomes to create 16 environmentally friendly "enviropigs." Failing to find a company to raise the animals commercially, the university plans to euthanize all of the enviropigs.
Farm Sanctuary has found loving homes in Canada and the U.S. for all the enviropigs, but the university is refusing their adoption offers. Professor Richard Moccia, associate vice president of research at the University of Guelph, claimed, "Adoption, donation or transfer of the animals would represent a breach of our protocols, as well as Canadian regulations."
It is wasteful and cruel to kill healthy, intelligent pigs just because the university is done using them for research. The enviropigs deserve an opportunity to live outside in the fresh air, take mud baths and bask in the sun just like normal pigs. Tell the University of Guelph researchers not to kill the enviropigs.
To: University of Guelph Researchers
We, the undersigned, are disturbed by your plans to euthanize 16 genetically modified "enviropigs" due to termination of research and inability to find a company to raise them.
Animal welfare groups and individuals have found loving homes in Canada and the U.S. for all the enviropigs, but the university is sadly refusing their adoption offers. While we understand that regulations exist to prohibit interbreeding with "normal" pigs, we believe that spaying and neutering the enviropigs would prevent these problems. Also, university could retain responsibility for the animals by placing them in nearby homes.
It is wasteful and cruel to kill healthy, intelligent pigs just because the university is done using them for research. The enviropigs deserve an opportunity to live outside in the fresh air, take mud baths and bask in the sun just like normal pigs. Please find a way to let the pigs live. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
