In her letters to the press Ballin claims that:

• "International and local reviews show that Animal Research Takes Lives - Humans and Animals Both Suffer (http://www.health.org.nz/cover.html) is based on anecdote and the personal view of the author."



• "The information in Animal Research Takes Lives - Humans and Animals Both Suffer (http://www.health.org.nz/cover.html) is not supported by the established medical literature."



• "ANZCCART is an independent body... which promotes excellence in the use of animals for research, teaching and testing."

"Animal Research

I write further to the letter from Brian Jones ('Vivisectors at large', 23 December), commenting on the health reforms.  It was of interest that he used this important subject to expose your readers to his views on the use of animals in medical research.

The publication Animal Research Saves Lives - Humans and Animals Both Benefit was issued to add balance to what is often an emotional and poorly informed debate.  It was extremely well received in schools, public libraries and by the general public.  It would be unfortunate, however, if your readers gained the impression that the 368-page book Animal Research Takes Lives - Humans and Animals Both Suffer (http://www.health.org.nz/cover.html) is an accurate and factually correct treatment of this complex subject.  Local and international reviews confirm that the book is based on anecdote and the personal views of the author, and the information in it is not supported by the established medical literature.  The New Zealand arm of the Australian and NZ Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) was established during 1993, to promote the well-being of animals used in research and to act as a credible information resource for both the scientific community and the public at large.  Readers with an interest in this subject should feel free to contact the ANZCCART (NZ) executive officer c/o the Royal Society of NZ, 4 Halswell St, Wellington.

Ann Ballin
Chair, ANZCCART (NZ)
Christchurch"

City Voice
17 February 1994

"Vivisection book

Sir, I read with interest the interview with Bette Overell, secretary of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection League [sic] (The Post, Jan 1).

Ms Overell is well-known for her views and her sincerity is certainly not in doubt.

It would be unfortunate, however, if your readers gained the impression that the 368-page book, Animal Research Takes Lives - Humans and Animals Both Suffer (http://www.health.org.nz/cover.html), is an accurate and factually correct treatment of this complex subject.  The inference that a large number of doctors in Europe, Britain, America, and Australia support the International Syndicate [sic] of Doctors Against Vivisection is misleading and it is not surprising that New Zealand doctors do not support this extreme, minority medical group.

The proposition that laboratory tests on animals do not play a vital role in safe-guarding public health is both simplistic and scientifically inaccurate.

The New Zealand arm of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) was established during 1993 to promote the wellbeing of animals used in research and to act as a credible information resource for both the scientific community and the public at large.

Dame Ann Ballin
Chairman, ANZCCART (NZ)"

The Evening Post
22 February 1994

We are convinced that many readers will disagree with Ballin's statements... asking, for example:

1. For the sources of the "international and local reviews" to which she refers and if she could cite the "anecdotes and personal views of the author".



2. Why she considers that the British Medical Journal, Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association and the New Zealand Medical Journal (all sources of information in ARTL (http://www.health.org.nz/cover.html) ) are not "established medical literature".



3. From whom ANZCCART is "independent"? (Certainly not the drug companies, the government which they control, or the major industries involved in the vivisection industry - which make up ANZCCART.)



4. How she can harmonise, or equate, the terms "excellence and well-being" in the use of animals destined to be "used in research, teaching and testing"?

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