Vernon Coleman's £250,000 challenge to vivisectors

Volunteers working for an RSPCA branch in the south of England
put a slogan on their official van calling for a ban on animal experiments.
But, almost unbelievably, the Charity Commission demanded that they remove the slogan.

'...the basis on which the RSPCA is considered charitable is not the benefit it confers upon animals,' claims the Charity Commission, 'but that which it confers indirectly on humans, in the form of the moral improvement mankind derives from treating animals well.'

'It follows, therefore, that an organisation cannot be a charity if it is established to promote the welfare of animals in a way, which will have significant adverse consequences for mankind.'

How dare the Charity Commission (which is, you may be surprised to hear, a government department) make judgements of this kind?
The Charity Commission assumes that stopping vivisection would have 'adverse consequences for mankind'.

In their official list of 'aims, vision and values' they boast that they 'will show impartiality fairness, independence and honesty' but their sole excuse for their bizarre and seemingly political decision is that it is based on a outdated legal decision which is over 50 years old.

In contrast I can prove that animal experiments are useless. Animal experiments are only performed because they boost drug industry profits.

Some time ago I offered £100,000 to the first person who could send indisputable clinical evidence to convince me that all animal experiments are relevant, reliable, effective and essential for human health.

Not one vivisection supporter has even tried to claim the money.

I'm now increasing the value of my challenge to £250,000. Perhaps the doubters will now recognise that I must be right. Animal experiments are worthless.

In my view the Charity Commission is a disgrace.

And if it wants to retain any respect from animal lovers the RSPCA must resist the Charity Commission. They must challenge them to defend their absurd claim that animal experiments help people.

This Challenge has now been withdrawn and replaced by a new challenge - see Vernon Coleman's Summer 2001 Challenge To Vivisectors (15.5.01)