September 4, 2015
Satya Nadella
Chief Executive Officer
Microsoft
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052
Dear Mr. Nadella:
The American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) represents over 13,000 dedicated professionals who provide care for the animals that enable biomedical research advancements. On behalf of our members, I would like to express our extreme disappointment at the selection of the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) as the winner of the 10th global nonprofit partner for the Upgrade your World initiative.
Since 1950, AALAS members have dedicated their careers to advancing responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals. Our members are highly trained and actively involved in the biomedical research field. We work hard to provide people and animals life-enhancing therapies, medications, and vaccines. Animal-based research is still required to prevent, cure, and treat a host of diseases and illnesses. From cancer treatments to vaccines for diseases ranging from Ebola to measles, these professionals know that animals and people, working together, provide the best chance for all of us to lead healthy lives. Groups like the BFP manipulate public opinion by vilifying our members, people who care deeply for the animals that enable them to work on the front line of medicine.
It is unfortunate that a group like the BFP, which is led by a convicted animal rights extremist, has been able to harness the power of Microsoft to further an agenda to stop research, stop the development of life-saving vaccines, and stop the biomedical researchers dedicated to finding cures for diseases that afflict both animals and people.
The true nature and agenda of the BFP is known in the research community. Their tactics have stifled several research institutions that already had longstanding adoption programs in place for the animal heroes who enable biomedical research to advance.
Research saves lives, both human and animal. AALAS members are keenly aware of how important biomedical research is and our association sincerely hopes that Microsoft will reconsider supporting the BFP, a group whose mission is to hinder biomedical research and progress.
Sincerely,
Ann Turner, PhD, FASAE, CAE
Executive Director AALAS and the AALAS Foundation
9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive
Memphis, TN. 38125
901-754-8620
ann.turner@aalas.org
www.aalas.org
