Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

to think this is not a suitable place for school to send a 14 yo on work experience

102 replies

princessparty · 27/01/2010 12:21

..an animal testing laboratory !!
He rang me from school this morning to say this is what the school has suggested when he said he wanted to do lab work for work experience.Apparently they have placed students there in the past !
Apart from the obvious upsetting nature of their work,the place is often frequented by animal rights activists who have not only targetted people working there but also employees of any companies doing business with them !!

OP posts:

meltedchocolate · 27/01/2010 13:53

If you are not happy about it and neither id he then dont let him go, I would'nt mind my son going. It will be educational.

southeastastra · 27/01/2010 13:54

would have thought you'd need a bit of training to be allowed to work with them that's all. he'd probably just be filing

nickelbabe · 27/01/2010 13:55

no, that's not what i mean, and you know it.

we have the technololgy to develop the means to test drugs without animals, we just don't know how to use them yet.
that's what we need the skilled biologists for.

and the droplet/shriek theory was an over-simplification of a practice that does happen.
i'm happy to debate it, but i think you know that you have no idea what my background is, how much i know on the subject and ow much i'm willing to tell you.
you, on the other hand, are (in my experience) trying to get as much of a rise out of people as you can, on what is clearly an emotive subject.

therefore my final comment is

bruxeur · 27/01/2010 13:58

You're not being very clear.

We have the technology to develop the means? What? And what "them" do we not know how to use?

I can only go on what you post, you know, this forum software doesn't support telepathy.

On the other hand, if you're just trying to back down because you're wallowing a bit, then feel free.

DorotheaPlenticlew · 27/01/2010 13:59

nickelbabe, there is a lot more to animal testing than your post suggests. It's not all about drugs, for one thing. I know someone who has worked for years on genetic research relating to BSE and its human equivalent; lots of it involves intensely detailed observation of mice, chickens, etc. I'm not saying it's all one big party for the animals but tbh it's not a simple case of scientists trying out drugs -- there are hundereds of people working desperately hard to understand something hugely complex and problematic, and find a way of trying to deal with it.

You need to be really sure of your info before you dismiss work like that as "mean" and decide it isn't worthwhile.

CaptainUnderpants · 27/01/2010 13:59

from Bruxeur 'Nice, thoughtful argument there CU. Anything else you'd care to share? '

Yeap

to Op hope you work this out with your DS and sorry that this thread has turned into somebody (i.e Bruxeur) wanting an argument with everybody .

bruxeur · 27/01/2010 14:00

Yeah, heaven forfend we have an actual discussion about something.

wastingaway · 27/01/2010 14:01

There has to be a balance between how much time and effort goes into avoiding vivisection vs. producing the most reliable test though.
If a much better test could be created that didn't require animals, then that would be a great thing to push for, but if a lot of time, money etc. was being spent to create a test that was simply as reliable then there's probably a lot of better things these scientists could be doing with their time.

EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 27/01/2010 14:04

southeastra [peers above squabbling mners] dn has been merrily cutting up animals all week apparently

nickelbabe · 27/01/2010 14:06

"them" was my clumsy english: it was referring to the technology, so should have been it.

that's all the response you're getting, bruxeur.

TrillianAstra · 27/01/2010 14:08

Sounds like it could be a really interesting placement, I would have liked it.

OP - you are expecting the school to agree with your opinion that animal testing is 'torture'. There are plenty of people in ths country (including the official view of the government) who believe that animal testing is not torture.

No-one would suggest that sending a child to a place where torture when on would be appropriate, but can you see that your judgement of inappropriateness hinges entirely on that one opinion which the school clearly doe snot share. Neither do I. Neither do a number of other people on this thread.

wastingaway · 27/01/2010 14:08

What have people got against arguing?

Umami · 27/01/2010 14:09

It could be a lab that tests out veterinary medicines.

LittleMrsHappy · 27/01/2010 14:12

If your child is happy with it OP, and if its something he might be interested in, then I would let him go, but I would also say you might see X,Y,Z their.

Flightattendant · 27/01/2010 14:12

Bruxeur why are you being so obtuse and aggressive?

I'm sure you were doing it the other day as well. It does not make you look clever.

Original poster

princessparty · 27/01/2010 14:14

Well thankyou peeps.You have given me a lot of food for thought.I think i was being a bit hasty !i will have a chat with DS when he gets home and talk it through with him.I will also research the activist threat (have a friend who works as a security guard there)
Apparently the school organise all placements now -although you can request them to contact whoever you like.I guess there is so much health and safety child protection red tape tied up with under 16s nowadays (ye gods !)

OP posts:

Reallytired · 27/01/2010 14:15

Animal testing is done to a high standard in this country. Most photos taken on the web are from other countries and not representative of animal testing in the UK.

Why not protest about the horrific cruety dished out to domestic small animals.

nickelbabe · 27/01/2010 14:15

Umami!

Trillian: i think i agree with that sentiment, but i also think that it should be approached with a bit more caution.
it shouldn't be assumed that it's okay with everyone just because it's okay with the administration.

bruxeur · 27/01/2010 14:16

Oh joy, another stalker.

Southwind · 27/01/2010 14:17

There are so many biscuits on here its making me hungry.....mmmm

FWIW - I agree with coldtits, could be an interesting experience if he is into that sort of thing.

I wish our school had been more exciting with our placements back in 198.... I went to a cinema for a week and I wanted to be a vet!

nickelbabe · 27/01/2010 14:17

also have a look at frame

(i can't think of any others right now, but i may revisit...)

tialys · 27/01/2010 14:20

Presumably the school will not force your DS into working there if he doesn't want to.
If he's not comfortable with it, he should ask to change.
FWIW - I think it would be a fantastic placement, it would have been right up my street 20 years ago

wastingaway · 27/01/2010 14:21

As long as there's an emphasis on better testing, then I'd be happy without animal testing.
Medicine should come first though.

angelene · 27/01/2010 14:21

Well when I did work experience I went to the local paper. I saw journalists at work, and some of those practices, well, I don't know if children should be exposed to that sort of thing at all.

Flightattendant · 27/01/2010 14:24

Recognising your name from One Other Thread does not imply that I am stalking you. That's a very strange conclusion to jump to.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5