Paul McCartney

PETA praises Macca for boycotting animal-testing charities

Animal rights group PETA has commended Sir Paul McCartney for his decision to boycott cancer charities that test on animals.

Washington, July 19 : Animal rights group PETA has commended Sir Paul McCartney for his decision to boycott cancer charities that test on animals.

The former Beatle, who has supported cancer charities since his first wife Linda died of the disease in 1998, recently revealed that he is planning to decline financial support to organisations that practice vivisection.

McCartney said that he took the decision after discovering that a number of charities close to his heart promote the practice.

"When Linda died I said I would support cancer charities. Animal rights groups wrote to me pointing out that many were heavily into vivisection - and it's true," Contactmusic quoted him, as saying.

"A doctor we knew out in America just admitted it as a matter of fact, innocently, like 'Well, sure we do.' What he doesn't realise is that he won't get a donation out of me for that very fact. There are better alternatives but you're not allowed to challenge the status quo," he added.

And the vegan legend's pronouncement has been highly praised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"Animal testing charities don't just miss out on big money; they miss out on medical progress. Animals are not furry little humans and their bodies cannot reliably predict results for human conditions," Alistair Currie, Senior Research and Campaigns Co-ordinator of PETA, said.

"Thankfully, there are plenty of charities that go for the triple win: they don't cause animal suffering; they do support modern non-animal research that increases the chance of finding cures for humans; and they get the money of smart, compassionate donors," Currie added.

ANI