Celebrities Caught on Both Sides of AIDS Animal Research

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Celebrities Caught on Both Sides of AIDS Animal Research

Washington Times (12/26/96) P. A6
Richardson, Valerie

Abstract: AIDS activists confronted numerous Hollywood stars on their way to the Animal's Ball and Humanitarian Awards gala, which was hosted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The protesters accused the celebrities of hypocrisy, saying that they cannot support both animal rights groups and AIDS research, which uses animals for testing. Some of the stars reportedly looked away uncomfortably when accused. Peter Cashman, a former radio personality who has tested HIV- positive, noted, "The PETA attacks, the terrorism, harassment, and lies [are] destroying AIDS research projects, and that has to stop." PETA officials, however, say that there are other ways to conduct AIDS testing, including the use of computers that can simulate biological conditions. Other PETA backers, meanwhile, claimed that animal research has not proven useful to AIDS research. "All major breakthroughs in AIDS research have come about through studying the [virus'] interaction with human cells, not those of other species," said ACT UP co- founder Peter Tatchell.

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