COVID-19: A horizon of hope
Published on April 24, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to rampage across the world threatening our health, economy and traditions, we find ourselves in a time of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity.
Rather than celebrating Animal Free Research UK’s 50th anniversary in style this year, like many charities reliant on voluntary donations and the kindness of our supporters, we are facing a tough reality.
Yet I believe there is also hope.
In the search for a vaccine, in some cases animal use has been bypassed and research moved straight to human trials. We want to see a lot more of that happening in the future, and in the coming weeks and months we’ll be ramping up our call for the drug testing regime to change for the good of people and animals.
Whilst most of our scientists’ labs have closed, many are working from home preparing to publish their ground-breaking animal free research. Spreading the word about their innovative work so that other researchers see kinder science in action. We’ve been able to offer them project extensions and reassurance that our vital funding will continue.
And we’ve heard from so many of our big-hearted supporters that you want to do more to support the COVID-19 effort. We’re busy working around the clock, and I’m proud that we’re able to announce that a new test which could detect whether people who have had COVID-19 are still infectious is under development, thanks to funding from Animal Free Research UK.
Our small team are safe and well and working from home. We’re still here to answer your calls and emails, and to continue to support the pioneering animal free research that the world so desperately needs. So, it’s business, but not quite as normal.
In these tough times, I’ve been reflecting on the personal choices we can each make – to be defensive, sticking doggedly to what we know, to be destructive and despairing, or to be open to transformation and hope. At Animal Free Research UK, we’re choosing the latter.
As pioneering thinker Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world”. This just might be our moment to change the world for people and animals. I hope you’ll stand with us.
