From Mike Michael, Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths University of London
Andy Coghlan wrote: “What’s coming to light for the first time is that euthanasia of [animal carers’] charges triggers feelings of guilt, remorse and grief in many carers but most suffer in silence because the subject is taboo, and they feel they have no way to unburden themselves” (29 March, p 8). This is of immense importance, but not new: my co-authors and I have written at some length on this topic: see The Sacrifice: How scientific experiments transform animals and people by Lynda Birke, Arnie Arluke and Mike Michael (Purdue University Press, 2007). Professor Arluke in particular has published extensively in this area, including an article based on ethnographic research – in New Scientist (4 April 1992, p 33).
London, UK
