In a recent Instagram post, legendary guitarist Brian May expressed his disappointment and refusal to celebrate Queen’s latest achievement. The accomplishment involved scientists discovering a method using Queen’s iconic anthem ‘We Will Rock You’ to assist people with diabetes in controlling their insulin. While this news might have brought joy to many, May’s response was laced with concern and ethical considerations.
May began his post by acknowledging the positive impact of ‘We Will Rock You’ in the field of health, helping people manage diabetes.
However, his happiness was overshadowed by the means through which this knowledge was gained: animal testing. The guitarist voiced his strong opposition to such practices, emphasizing that causing pain to one species to benefit another is morally indefensible.
“So! Who would have guessed?! ‘We Will Rock You’ can be good for your health! I’m happy about that. But I’m not at all happy that these scientists tortured mice to find that out. It’s now well known that many drugs and procedures that work in mice or rats do not work in humans. ‘Proving’ drugs in non-human animals was the cause of the terrible tragedy with Thalidomide some years ago.”
Expressing his disdain for animal testing, May highlighted the need for a change in laws governing such experiments. He criticized the scientists who conducted the experiments on mice, stating that their actions were unjustifiable. May, a staunch advocate for animal rights, emphasized the need for scientists to take responsibility for their actions and called for an end to the mistreatment of animals in the name of research.
“And, ethically, causing pain to one species to cure the ills of another is clearly unjustifiable. So, the laws requiring tests on animals must be changed. I’m horrified that these scientists could gaily make these unfortunate animals suffer to prove a point that should have been made using human volunteers.”
May’s refusal to celebrate the achievement stemmed from his deep-rooted belief in the ethical treatment of animals.
As the founder of the organization ‘Save Me,’ he has been a vocal supporter of animal welfare, working tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty and extinction. His advocacy extends to various organizations, including RSPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the League Against Cruel Sports, and PETA UK.
“Then, I would have been smiling. But this? It’s so easy to gloss over the disgusting way we treat animals. It has to stop. It’s high time that scientists became responsible for what they do. Time they took responsibility for the way they behaved. I will not be celebrating this news tonight.”
This incident further showcases May’s unwavering commitment to animal rights and his determination to raise awareness about the ethical treatment of animals.
“Bravo, Stella! Hoping all the concerned campaigns can collaborate on a new push forward to end this appalling cruelty. More power to you and all your great humane work.”
You can check out his post he shared on his Instagram account below:
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