[FPSPACE] Russia to Send Monkeys to Mars?

[LARRY KLAES]

To quote:

Russia has a long history of scientific discovery and space exploration 
through the use of animals. Beginning with space dog Laika in 1957, the 
space program expanded to run tests on other dogs (many returned safely to 
Earth) and eventually monkeys. Although the monkey testing program was 
stopped through lack of funding in the mid-1990's, the nation has announced 
plans to send the closest descendent of humans to a place where no man has 
gone before: Mars. And here's us thinking it will be a human first stepping 
onto the Martian surface…

I must admit, I had to read the story twice before I believed it. Russia 
wants to send monkeys not only into space, but to Mars. I had an idea that 
monkeys (or more specifically macaques) were used in space missions in the 
past, but in my mind this was in the past and would be considered cruel in 
this day and age. But hold on, aren't macaques used in medical experiments 
the world over anyway? Why is it so shocking that macaques should be chosen 
to pioneer interplanetary travel before mankind?

Full article here:

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/14/russia-to-send-monkeys-to-mars/