Activists and Advocates

With an ever changing world comes activists and advocates to voice their opinions and help people. This seems to be good thing, by definition. However, there is a theme in our society, people with strong opinions and that consider themselves activists don't think about others opinions or beliefs. Advocates try to speak for people but tend to let their own personal feelings blind them and don't appear to do much help for the people they are advocating for.

Many groups that claim to be activists for a cause would rather have the world changed in their favor and don't ever really stop to think about the big picture. Groups that are trying to work for animal rights usually don't take into consideration the benefits of animal testing or why some dogs are on chains. They simply stand and yell and try to fix a "problem" without looking at all the facts. Animal rights activists don't see how testing medications on animals before giving them to humans is a good thing, or how some dogs need to be chained up while in the yard to prevent them from running around and getting by a car.

I am animal person, I love dogs, but I know that I don't want people given medications that have never been tested on anything just to see what will happen. The most common test animals are rats and mice, I would much rather a mouse die testing a medication then me die testing a medication.  I really do want to ask people who are against animal testing and want it outlawed... "Are you willing to take the place of the animal who the product is being tested on?" If they say no (which most would) the real question then becomes, "If we can't test on animals and you aren't willing to be tested on, then how are we going to further science and the medical field? If your child had a rare disease or disorder and there could be a cure or something they could take to lessen the symptoms but it had never been tested, would you give it to your child knowing that it could kill them?" I know that is pretty grim but that's how it will be if the only testing done throughout the entire process is on humans. We will be condemning hundreds or thousands of people to their deaths if it isn't known before hand what could happen.

Advocates are another issue I have with the world. Now days, advocate groups aren't really in it for people but more so for their own agenda. One group really stands out, Dogsbite.org. They have managed to start a campaign to destroy all American Pit Bull Terriers and similar dogs. They claim it is for the victims of dog bites but it that were the case they would be going after all breeds of dogs no just one type. Their leader, Colleen Lynn, was bitten by a dog a few years ago and since made it her mission to eradicate the breed.

Now don't get me wrong, not all activist and advocate groups are like this, but it is something to be aware of when looking into groups to join or donate funds to. Be sure to find out what they are really about.