Letter Being Sent to UCSF Chancellor Bishop

Briefly, several animal advocates (myself included) composed a letter (see reasonable facsimile of it below) and sent it to UCSF Chancellor Bishop last month. In the letter, we referred to 3 cardiac experiments involving dogs and other animals at UCSF. We raised our concerns about the lack of reliability of the data to be obtained from these experiments, as well as the availability of more accurate methods to better understand and treat the heart diseases under study, and we asked for a meeting to discuss the matter. The 1st letter - with over 50 members of the general community listed in support, headed by Dr. Michael Sinclair - was not answered. Thus a 2nd letter (similar to the 1st) - with over 100 persons in support - was sent earlier this month. Still there has not been an answer. Consequently, there are plans to send&nbs p;a 3rd letter, which will be a reasonable facsimile of the 1st one (below).

If you want to add your name to the letter, please contact Lee (who has been coordinating the sending of the letter), and she will add your name + occupation to the list of supporters. BE SURE TO GIVE LEE YOUR NAME + OCCUPATION. FOR EXAMPLE:
"Jane Doe, Attorney."
Here is Lee's e-mail address: <ggirl [at] pacbell.net>

Whatever you do, I thank you for your advocacy for our fellow animals on earth. As I've said before, we - that is, what we stand for - will ultimately prevail.

Bob O'Brien

PS: Sorry there have not been any vigils scheduled lately - we were hoping to have one this month; however, my work schedule interfered. I hope to schedule a vigil-protest in the latter part of April - will keep you posted.

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Dr. Michael Sinclair
1011 Shotwell St.
San Francisco CA 94110



February 15, 2005

J. Michael Bishop, M.D.
Chancellor, UCSF
513 Parnassus Ave, S-126
San Francisco CA 94143

Dear Chancellor Bishop,

Re: Project #A1644-000961-71A, Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Adrenergic Function

Project #A43109-22783-02A, Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation;

Project #A43109-22715-02, Effects of Congestive Heart Failure on Electrophysiology and Remodeling



I am contacting you today on behalf of members of the general community to voice our concerns about three cardiology research projects(referenced above) involving dogs and other animals at UCSF.

We believe these experiments are unreliable as a means of predicting the likely effects in humans and that there are more accurate methods to understand and treat the various heart diseases under study in these projects. We also have concerns about the number of dogs being used (over 800 in the next 3 years) and discrepancies in the protocols. Furthermore, we question whether the Principal Investigator seriously considered alternatives to animals as mandated by the Animal Welfare Act.

As debate about the use of animals in research grows and public opinion turns toward more reliable methodologies, we foresee the need for an open public forum to discuss our concerns and also to begin an open dialogue on a regular basis. Thus, we would like to arrange a meeting with you to discuss our concerns. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Sinclair CEO Inpatient Management Medical Group
Lee Sinclair - Playwright
Sam Gilbert - Editor
Henry Conlon - Financial Advisor
Terri Winston - Professor Audio Dept. CCSF
P.Jane Goldberg - RN
Jennifer Bird - Director, A Leg Up Rescue
Amanda Valdez - Office Manager
Bob O’Brian - Vigil for Animals
Cate Derrell - Toy Designer
Camie Foust - Executive Assistant
Jeacline Marinkovic - President JZM Intl.
Lu Anne Flechsig - Homemaker
Dennis Lewenthal - Concerned Voter
Yashir Agaev – Cinema/Television Arts Student
Lidia Fuents - Vet Technician
Jane Ryan – Childcare Professional
Maggie Simpson - Manager Media Arts Center CCA
Jade Dou - Student
Diann M. Andersen - Admin. Assistant CEDA
Roselee Higdon - Retired Railroad Worker
Simon Hass - RVT
Bruce Pachtman - Publicist
Kendra Luzitano - Student
Cliff Wilson - Research Associate UCSF
Alex Zaphiris - Med. Student UCSF
Linda Beenau - Director, WonderDog Rescue
Celina Lucera - Employment Specialist
Rosie Kaperonis – Student
Peter Illes - Federal Air Marshall
Pamela Illes - Teacher
Ed Cavanaigh - High School Teacher
Jeff Weill - Property Management
Nathan Braun - Founder, Christian Vegetarian Association
Jennifer Bertana - Animal Care
Aimee E. Beldock - Attorney
Cecilia Gutierrez - Financial Programs Assistant
Corrine Dowling Director, Give a Dog a Bone
Luke Wendler - Architect
Anne Abbott - Metal Fabricator
Rikke Jorgenson - Travel Writer
Lisa Dossy - Dog Trainer
Tina Hull - Volunteer Director
J.L. Erlichman - Coach
Jo Evans - Legal Assistant
Sigourney Babcock - Student
Darlene Balzan - Jeweler
Diana Lund - Sales
Terri Torgeson - Attorney
Shannon Moreno - Humane Education Adovocate
Andrea Reese - Self Employed
Bill Hamilton - Editor
Melinda Bell - Communications
Steve Whitworth – Graduate Student