Animal research rallies target UCLA

LOS ANGELES, April 22 (UPI) -- Pro forces widely outnumbered anti forces when dueling animal research rallies targeted UCLA Wednesday, observers said.

Those in favor of using animals for test purposes were estimated at about 400 people, including UCLA faculty, staff and students, the Los Angeles Times reported. Nearby, about 30 animal rights activists, including two in monkey costumes, made their case, the newspaper said.

Both sides were peaceful as numerous police officers looked on.

Signs being waved by the pro-research group included "Animal research saves lives," while the anti-crowd's slogans included "Campus terrorism is not OK."

The animal rights activists were observing the annual World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week. The pro-research protesters were organized by UCLA Pro-Test, a new organization favoring the humane use of animals in research aimed at finding cures for human diseases.

UCLA Pro-Test was created by UCLA neuroscientist J. David Jentsch, whose car was torched last month. He uses monkeys in his research on schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Meanwhile, the FBI said Wednesday a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in the attack against Jentsch had been increased to $75,000.