Why is the Left for the Primate Initiative?

Basel politics has long against the initiative bristled , which wants to guarantee primates “the right to life and to physical and mental integrity”. It corresponds so closely to the discourses of the “woke” generation that its outcome is being observed internationally. And causes unrest at Basel Zoo and the economy. The Chamber of Commerce of both Basels wrote : «On February 13, 2022 we will vote nationally and in the canton of Basel-Stadt on two initiatives that are of great importance for our business and life sciences location: nationally, this is the “animal and human experimentation ban”, which equates to a research ban, and cantons the “primate initiative”. Both initiatives represent a direct attack on the business and research location. »

Initiators argue with animal experiments

It was pointed out in the parliamentary debates that the primate initiative only applies to the activities of the canton and that the canton does not keep monkeys. Furthermore, Pharma in Basel no longer conducts tests on primates. But the initiators argue for their request with animal experiments: namely, that in Basel alone in the last 10 years 929 stressful primate experiments have been carried out. They also criticize the fact that primates are “exhibited for entertainment purposes” and euthanized in the event of complications. Such practices can hardly be justified morally. So the initiators want to bring about changes. The initiator Meret Schneider in the talk on September 23, 2010 .

Responsibility for the pharmaceutical location

In the meantime, all left-wing parties have expressed their approval of the initiative, the SP and the Greens even decided to say yes. “It is difficult to say no to this request. Who are we, that we do not want to grant such rights to an animal, “said SP-Co-President Lisa Mathys to the BZ . Even if an allegedly more symbolic demand could lead to more animal experiments being relocated to places where the protection of animals is less important than here? As the dominant party, the SP is at a clinch between responsibility for the pharmaceutical industry and its ideals.

In the talk January 5, 2022: Christian von Wartburg, Grand Councilor SP BS, and Benjamin van Vulpen, Co-President of the Green BS, from 6.45 p.m.