by Anai Rhoads
January 14, 2003

There are laws that protect a laboratory's request to purchase, manipulate and kill animals for the sake of science. Current U.S.guidelines allow at least one large, non-rodent mammal in addition to the up 7 rodents to be used for experimentation. [1]

Chiropractic medicine is no exception when it comes to testing and prodding of live animals. The Palmer Chiropractic University System does not shy away from admitting they use laboratory rats in their experiments. One might say their latest venture may not be the cat's "meow".

In addition to the rising concern of felines being used, the disregard for biological fact eludes the laboratory as it is well known that the skeletal structures are different in rodents and cats - in comparison to humans. [2] The conclusion one faces is - chiropractic medicine has no business claiming the skeletal anatomy of these animals and their experimentation is important to assisting humans down the road.

A statement released by Palmer defending their practices against a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) news release (January 8, 2003) reads:

"Laboratory rats, bred and purchased from reputable, federally licensed suppliers, are used in an ongoing, NIH-funded research project to develop a reversible model of the chiropractic subluxation. During a surgical procedure in a sterile operating room, specific segments of the rats' spines are fixated using small, metal implants. During specific time periods, the effects of these vertebral fixations are observed and recorded. Dr. Meeker said a PETA assertion that Palmer would extend the same research experiments to cats was inaccurate. Current research using cats, a different NIH-supported project, involves studying the effects of certain stimuli (including a chiropractic adjustment) on the cat's nervous system. The animals in both projects are thoroughly anaesthetized using humane, standardized protocols, Dr. Meeker said. " [3]

However humane Palmer believes the treatments to be, none can be as humane as freedom. In a laboratory, there are specific policies for those performing the experiments to prevent "bonding" with the animals being used. To treat an animal as an inanimate object may lead to further cruelty by disassociation.

The following is the contact information for those who would like to write directly to Palmer. [4] Tell the president of the Palmer Chiropractic University System that you do not approve of their policy and demand an end to the institution's use of animals in its research program.

Guy F. Riekeman, D.C., President Palmer Chiropractic University System 1000 Brady St. Davenport, IA 52803-5287 Phone: (563) 884-5621 Fax: 563-884-5409

Kevin A. McCarthy, D.C. Dean Palmer College of Chiropractic West 90 E. Tasman Dr. San Jose, CA 95134 Phone.: Toll free (866) 303-7939 or (408) 944-6000

Gloria Y. Niles, D.C. Dean Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida 4705 Clyde Morris Blvd. Port Orange, FL 32129-4103 Phone.: (386) 763-2641

[1] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develepment

[2] How Animals Move: An Integrative View

[3] Palmer Response to PETA Concerns

[4] Contact information provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Peta

© Copyright 2003 Anai Rhoads.