Animal Testing at New York University The use of animals for medical testing and education is a controversial topic that often leads to heated debate. The issues are complex, but the suffering and waste associated with animal testing is painfully evident. Vivisection, the act of cutting up a living animal, has led the nation down countless scientific dead ends, taking funding and attention away from more applicable scientific research. The practice of animal testing at NYU continues, not because it has proven to be an accurate and reliable means of research (which it has not), but rather by tradition and promotion by those with strong vested interests (e.g. Lynne Kiorpes). These values ​​have caused a series of recent protests and investigations at an institution called New York University. On October 10, 2000, a protest in Washington Square Park rejuvenated an issue that NYU had been dealing with since late 1997, a debate that the university wrongly uses macaques for scientific research. An excerpt from University Press reads, “Kelly Osborne and Shawnee Alexandri rappelled down the west side of the main building, displaying a huge banner that read, “New York University Labs Are Making a Fortune”” (Amon 1). The students argue that the research, led by Lynne Kiorpes, tortures baby monkeys and produces no discoveries that can save or even improve human lives (Animal Testing Labs Come Under Fire Again 1). Dr. Marjorie Cramer described Lynne Kiorpes' work as “outdated, using antiquated techniques” (Gazzola 1). His research was cited by a Washington Square News editor as “insignificant and destructive” (1). Lynne Kiorpes, head of the research laboratory at New York Unive...... half of the document ......bad taxpayer-funded laboratory. Equally disturbing are New York University's efforts to punish students and faculty who provided information about abuses in the university's animal laboratories (Finsen 42). Scientific facts can be taught to medical students through the use of demonstration techniques. New York University's medical school, which allows students to "practice" on live, healthy animals, may be teaching future doctors to be devoid of compassion. Doctors are considered caring individuals, but vivisection during the training process can desensitize them to the pain they cause and teach them to put ethics aside. There is no reason for NYU to use monkeys for testing and demonstration purposes. Acceptable alternatives are available and should be implemented, saving lives and millions in federal funding, paving the way for a humane society.