update: animal testing play
16 March 2006
A new play exploring the social, moral, scientific and political questions raised by the use of animals in medical research has begun a tour of schools around the country. 'Every Breath', by award-winning playwright Judith Johnson, is followed by a live debate during which the students are encouraged to explore what they think and feel about the issues posed by the drama.
The play was guided by a panel representing all sides of the debate, including scientists, animal rights campaigners and a philosopher. Notably, it focuses on the issue of animal experimentation itself rather the violence related to it.
In the play, a university is building a new facility for animal research. Sonny is an 18-year-old vegetarian campaigning peacefully to stop the lab being built. His older sister, Anita, is a hard-headed scientist about to begin a PhD involving rat experiments in the lab Sonny wants closed.
The core question explored in the play is: is it right to put the lives of our family and friends above those of animals?
Lively discussion followed the premiere of the play at Waverley School in Peckham Rye, south London on Monday 6 March 2006. The play will be watched by 15 000 schoolchildren across the country and theatregoers at the Edinburgh festival.
'Every Breath' was funded by a Society Award from the Wellcome Trust, and a contribution from the Association of Medical Research Charities.
See also
External links
- Every Breath (Y Touring website)
- Actors make the fur fly (Guardian news: 14 March 2006)