Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin and Animal Rights
Alec Baldwin and his ex-wife, Kim Basinger, are perhaps two of the most outspoken celebrity spokespersons for the animal rights organization PETA. Both have supported PETA-sponsored campaigns and events, and they have publicly denounced the role animal research plays in the development of cures for human diseases.
In 1996, both Baldwin and Basinger served as celebrity
hosts for PETA’s Animals Ball and Humanitarian Awards Gala.1
The event honored some of PETA’s biggest celebrity supporters
in the entertainment industry. At the event, Baldwin reportedly
told KCAL-TV in Los Angles that animal research is not necessary
because there are “a lot of human subject… who would
be more than willing to become live experiments.” 2
During the event, Baldwin was also interviewed by the television
program “Extra... The Entertainment Magazine," where
he articulated his unequivocal opposition to animal research, and
questioned its value in the development of human cures:
"A lot of medical experimentation, perhaps all of it, is a sham… I do know that it’s kind of ludicrous to continue the charade, this kind of lazy, outdated science as an answer." 3
Baldwin and Disease Research
Despite his staunch opposition to animal experimentation for advancing
medical discovery for serious diseases, Baldwin had advocated for
breast cancer research and has publicly supported various AIDS-related
charities.
In October 1997, a university renamed its breast cancer facility in honor of Alec Baldwin’s mother, Carol Baldwin, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 1990 4. This recognition honored her many years of activism in raising both awareness and funding for the critical affliction.
In conjunction with the renaming ceremony, Alec Baldwin participated in an October 1997 gala that raised more than $500,000 for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer research Fund, Inc., which supports research efforts at the university. 5 Baldwin also publicly endorsed the research conducted at the breast cancer facility, stating:
“...out of our experience, and in tribute to her, my family and I want to announce today that we are joining in the battle against breast cancer with a pledge to raise a significant amount of money for the work here.... We are making this pledge so that our wives and daughters – along with your wives, daughters, sisters and mothers – will someday be able to live secure in the knowledge that breast cancer has been eradicated.” 6
Contrary to Baldwin’s public opposition to animal research, the institution he “pledged” money for to fight breast cancer conducts animal testing to advance scientific understanding of the deadly disease. For example:
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Recent work with laboratory animals has suggested that certain levels of electromagnetic radiation (EMF) might be associated with breast cancer by “inhibiting secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland. By reducing melatonin secretion, (EMF) could be increasing estrogen production, a well established risk factor for breast cancer.” 7
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Chicken embryos and nude mice are tested to help identify and characterize specific genes whose “expression are directly related to the metastatic behavior” of certain human cells. Metastasis is responsible for the majority of deaths in cancer patients. 8
In addition to Baldwin’s public crusade in support of breast cancer research, the actor has also lent his name in support of various AIDS-related charities. In February 1997, he was an attendee at Elizabeth Taylor’s 65th birthday celebration, which raised money for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. 9
Baldwin’s support for children impacted by HIV/AIDS was demonstrated by his participation in the celebrity cookbook, “Feast for Life: A Benefit Cookbook.” Baldwin was one of several stars who offered a recipe for the compilation, which benefited the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Proceeds from the sale of the book enabled the AIDS charity to raise over $100,000 for critical pediatric AIDS research. 10, 11
The Sunday Times (London) also reported on Baldwin’s conflicting support for both animal rights and disease research, noting the actor’s “strong support for AIDS causes” and his “active” campaign against animal research. 12
Disease Research Breakthroughs Made Possible by Animal Research
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Rats and mice are useful models to study breast cancer because certain strains can develop cancer spontaneously, as well as by viral and chemical induction. In addition, the life spans of mice are much shorter than those of humans, enabling scientists to gain quicker results for important breast cancer research data. 13, 14
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Scientists have developed “transgenic mice” by inserting human breast cancer genes into mice, then using the animal as a model to test treatments for human breast cancer. The findings may offer new clues to understanding risk and protective factors for breast cancer, as well as identifying experimental models for testing new treatments. 15
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In the May 10, 1996 issue of Science, researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reported that they had found a protein that is needed to admit the AIDS virus into human immune system cells. They hope that by inserting the gene for this protein into a small animal such as a rabbit, they can develop an inexpensive model for testing AIDS vaccines and studying how HIV destroys the immune system. 16
Impact of Breast Cancer / AIDS
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In the United States, a woman has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. As with most cancers, the risk is small in younger years, but rises significantly for women above the age of 50. 17
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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated eight million Americans alive today have a history of the disease. 18
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The World Health Organization estimates that within the next three years, between 30-40 million people with be infected with HIV. 19
References
1. Paramount Pictures Press Brief, November 20, 1996.
2. New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 21, 1997.
3. "Extra ... The Entertainment Magazine," December 16, 1996.
6. Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund Press Release, May 29, 1987.
7. Abstract, "EMF and Breast Cancer on Long Island," State University New York Stony Brook.
8. Abstract, "Identification and Cloning of Metastasis-Associated Gene," State University New York Stony Brook.
9. New Orleans Times-Picayune, February 23, 1997.
10. Feast for Life: A Benefit Cookbook. New York: HarperCollins, 1996.
11. "Update: Fall 1997," Pediatric AIDS Foundation Website (www.pedaids.org)
12. Sunday Times (London), January 19, 1997.
13. "The Rat in Biomedical Research," Health Benefits of Animal Research, 1996.
14. "The Mouse in Biomedical Research," Health Benefits of Animal Research, 1996.
15. American Cancer Society Website (www.cancer.org), February, 1998.
17. Cancer Facts: Lifetime Probability of Breast Cancer in American Women, NIH, February 1998.
18. "Cancer Facts and Figures – 1998," American Cancer Society.
19. Pediatric HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet, Pediatric AIDS Foundation website (www.pedaids.org), 1997.