Ingrid Newkirk (PETA)

Ingrid Newkirk
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510

Dear Ingrid,

I was wondering what PETA’s stance on human testing is. Can a consenting person be used as a test subject?

If so, what age are people allowed to be tested on? Does is vary by country? Socioeconomic status? In the US the legal drinking age is 21, so would one have to be 21 to be tested on? What about in Alberta, Canada, where the legal drinking age is 18?

Or maybe it is the legal age to drive? If we can trust a member of society to drive a car, should we should trust their judgment regarding allowing their body to be used for testing? In Alberta, farmers as young as 14 can obtain a drivers license.

What about mental ilness? Obviously, mentally challenged individuals should not be used as test subjects. But where do draw the line? What criteria should we use to determine if someone is eligible?

Then we get drawn into issues of stem cells. If I were a woman, could I donate my eggs to be tested on? What if I were dead, like organ donors? Are they my eggs to give? What about a fetus? Would PETA approve my choice to fetus farm?

I would really appreciate your opinions and PETA’s stance on these matters.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Jeremy David