Academic Freedom Terry A. May 29 Dec 1993 13:00 EST
I hope all would agree that one broad responsibility of research administrators would be to help protect the freedom for academic inquiry. In my opinion this might take many forms action - the following is offered as an anecdote for general information and reflection. The following is the text of a letter published in the Phoenix Gazette on 09/21/93: "The publicity surrounding American Greyhound Racing's policy banning kennel operators who give or sell greyhounds to research laboratories has produced a blizzard of mail to my office. I feel it is in the public interest to state our position clearly, for the record. Significantly, we understand the position of researchers and fully recognize the importance of their work in general. At the same time, my career and that of numerous associates in Arizona and across the country place us in close daily contact with these talented and affectionate athletes. Many of us have at least one adopted greyhound living in our homes, and that further strengthens the bond. Greyhounds are a significant part of our working and family lives. They are central to our careers. They give us unquestioned companionship and loyalty, and they provide our patrons with an exciting brand of entertainment. In an atmosphere of such subjective association, you can understand our reluctance to assign greyhounds - our partners and friends - to the discomforts, indignities and often pain of the laboratory. In good consience, we cannot be part of that. We stand solidly by our policy." -Dan A. Luciano General Manager Phoenix Greyhound Park This action will ban trainers who sell (at reduced costs) or donate "retired" greyhounds from racing at the Phoenix Greyhound Park. It will certainly restrict the availability of greyhounds in Arizona for biomedical research. At the same time, I am not aware of any licensed breeders of greyhounds which sell dogs for research subjects. Even if they were available, the costs would undoubtedly be much greater. Therefore, if such actions become widespread, it could act to reduce the freedom to conduct research that is scientifically warranted. We need to always be mindful, however we can, of promoting the dissemination of positive results of the work we help to promote and administer. Future challenges will take many different forms. If anyone desires more information, etc., please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Terry A. May, Ph.D. Voice: 602-523-6788 Director of Research Administration FAX: 602-523-1075 Office of Grant & Contract Services INTERNET: xxxxxx@nauvax.ucc.nau.edu 100 Babbitt Admin. Ctr., Box 4130 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4130