Entertainment News
- 24 July 2012, 10:06
Ricky Gervais 'sickened' by kitten experiments
Ricky Gervais has condemned scientists for sewing kittens' eyes together as part of an experiment.
It emerged this week that more than 30 kittens were used in tests to find out how the brain responds to sensory deprivation.
The creatures were later put down and the revelation has caused a storm of controversy, with Gervais insisting he is disgusted by the news.
He tells the Daily Mirror, "I am appalled that kittens are being deprived of sight by having their eyelids sewn shut. I thought sickening experiments like these were a thing of the past."
Bosses at Cardiff University in Wales, where the experiment was carried out, have defended the tests, which ended in 2010.
A statement reads, "Cardiff University rejects the accusation this experiment is cruel or unnecessary. It is impossible to use any other kind of technique for this study. The work was approved by both the University's ethical review process and the Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit as part of the licensing process."
what do you think?
Geoff
Why did their eyes need to be sewn shut? Why not taped or some other non-cruel method? Or what about putting them in a room then turning the lights out?
Michael Mcardle
the cruelty human beings can matter of factly inflict on innocent defenceles animals necer ceases to amaze me. i think anyone who can carry out these barbaric experiments then calmy go home to their families sit down have tea and act normal have something missing.truly horrible people. i wonder if their children have any pets. i wonder what their children would think if they were aware what they did for a living.remember these are the experiments we get to hear about. imagine the cruelty involved in the experiments they keep quiet
movvi
Cripes - it's like something out of Frankenstein! Why on Earth would you need to sew someone's eyes shut to deprive them of sight? We have light switches and everything now...
Chris Robinson
This is utterly disgusting. It doesn't take a highly paid university scientist boffin to tell you, after these terrible crimes, that a kitten whose eyes have been sewn up will experience fear, disorientation, anxiety, abandonment and will be crying for its mother for help. It's bleeding obvious. If they want to know what effects sensory deprivation has on people - why use innocent kittens? Just ask for a volunteer and blindfold them, put headphones on them, put them in a dark room. Isn't that enough sensory deprivation? Civilised? I don't think so.
Michele Oldroyd
Sadly this sort of thing (and worse)does go on in University and laboratories, it beats me why, why not just ask a blind personwhat it is like to do without their senses. I'm not a Ricky Gervais fan, but anyone who speaks out against this sort of thing goes up a little in my estimation.
Edgar Beckett
People inventing work to be done. According to this morning`s news, animal experiments are at an all time high.
Louisa Gieldon
More disgusting and completely useless experiments. Evil and mindless to use beasties like this. Please petition your mp and express your disgust.
Rob Shaw
12:07pm on 24/7/2012
Disgusting. Why couldn't these tests be done on blind humans if it's not cruel?