Animal Experimentation-Reply

To the Editor:—  This is in reference to Dr. Blair's objections to the publication of the article on head irradiation of the burro.I and other investigators at our laboratory share Dr. Blair's feelings toward the agony of animals committed to death by ionizing radiation though not his objection regarding the necessity of conducting such studies. As was the case with all previous experimental studies conducted by our group, the head-irradiation study was conducted according to the "Principles of Laboratory Animal Care" as promulgated by the National Society for Medical Research. The philosophical questions involved in the use of animals for experimental work are great in number and defy any light rationalization. We must work somewhere within the bounds set by standards of human dignity and ever work toward limiting any suffering vis-a-vis the necessity of obtaining certain information.All of our previous experimental studies have been directed toward obtaining