Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 24, 2025 ~ OP-ED ~ Animal testing in Everett: a costly experiment A By Katy Rogers, City Councilor At Large mending the animal testing ban may appear to be a minor adjustment, but even small changes carry signifi cant consequences. Allowing animal testing in Everett would not only introduce logistical and fi nancial burdens but also risk ignoring ethical concerns and shifting focus away from more pressing community priorities. A comparison with neighboring communities where animal testing is permitted highlights Everett’s lack of readiness for such a move. Cities like Cambridge, which allow animal testing, have extensive infrastructure to support and regulate it. For example, Cambridge employs a full-time Commissioner of Laboratory Animals—a licensed veterinarian funded by RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 the city—responsible for oversight and enforcement. The city also maintains a Biosafety and Animal Committee with dedicated administrative appointments and specialized resources. Firefi ghters must undergo biohazard training, and public health and inspectional departments enforce rigorous standards for laboratories. These are essential regulatory measures funded by taxpayers, and they are not optional. Everett does not have comparable resources or infrastructure to manage these responsibilities. Introducing animal testing here would demand signifi - cant investments of time, money, and expertise. The city would need to allocate funding to oversight bodies, enforce public safety measures, and establish new administrative roles—all while addressing the ethical dilemmas inherent in animal testing. Meanwhile, at the federal level, there is a growing shift away from animal testing in favor of innovative alternatives. Cambridge is at the forefront of this transition, reducing its reliance on animal testing and investing in more humane and forward-thinking research methods. Allowing animal testing in Everett not only ignores these trends but risks creating new problems that divert resources from the issues residents care about most. Recent developments in Somerville further underscore the risks Everett could face. Somerville, despite its stronger geographic and economic position, has seen its life sciences development projects suff er due to insuffi cient demand and unmet infrastructure needs. If Somerville, with its proximity to Boston and robust public transit access, is struggling, Everett—with fewer resources and no direct transit to biotech hubs—would face even steeper challenges. Everett’s limited space and resources compound the problem. Unlike larger cities like Cambridge, Everett lacks the capacity to support animal testing facilities on a comparable scale. Additionally, the region is already oversaturated with lab space, leaving many facilities vacant and underutilized. Loosening Everett’s restrictions risks contributing to this oversupply, creating burdens for taxpayers instead of benefi ts for the community. It is crucial to consider the long-term financial, logistical, and ethical consequences of amending animal testing in Everett. These are not temporary challenges; they require sustained investments that could profoundly impact the city’s future. If the City Council chooses to permit animal testing, it must be prepared to meet the rigorous regulatory and fi nancial demands this decision entails. Anything less would leave Everett vulnerable to the same stalled development and unmet potential in Somerville. Lorenzo Possamai named to Fall 2024 Dean’s List L orenzo Possamai, a member of the Class of 2028 from Everett, Mass., has been named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Stonehill College. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher and must have successfully completed all courses for which they were registered. Stonehill College, a Catholic institution of higher learning, was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948. Located on the beautiful 387-acre campus and former estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames in North Easton, Mass., it is a community of scholarship and faith, anchored by a belief in the inherent dignity of each person. Through more than 100 academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, business and pre-professional fi eld, Stonehill College provides an education of the highest caliber that fosters critical thinking, free inquiry and the interchange of ideas for over 2,500 students. For more info, access https://www.stonehill.edu/ — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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