A firebomb left at the front door of a University of California at Los Angeles professor by the Animal Liberation Front on Tuesday sent shockwaves through America's research community and raised concern at UF.
The attack damaged the house of Edythe D. London, a professor who uses primates in nicotine-addiction research. This was the second attack on London by the Animal Liberation Front, or ALF, in four months.
The FBI and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force have been investigating the incident.
Tom Fortner, UF Health Science Center spokesman, said UF's research community is concerned about the atacks.
"There's a real awareness in the research communities, and it's really occupying everyone's attention," Fortner said. "People here hope this is an isolated incident, but we're watching this closely."
Dr. Gus Battles, head veterinarian and director of UF Animal Care Services, which monitors UF research to ensure humane treatment of animals, said research benefits most humans and animals in the long run.
Battles said animal research is widely accepted in most parts of the country.
About 85 to 90 percent of the animals used for UF research are rats and mice, and Animal Care Services closely supervises each case, he said.
"I think one of the objectives of the extremist group was to have a chilling effect on research in the United States," he said. "I would just hope that these types of acts do not discourage people from seeking careers in the scientific fields."
Fortner acknowledged the growing concern of UF researchers but said he hasn't heard of any threatening incidents recently.
Lt. Robert Wagner of the University Police Department said officers frequently examine events at other institutions to ensure the safety of the UF community.
Wagner said he couldn't recall any cases of researcher threats at UF.
The Animal Activists of Alachua, a UF student group advocating fair treatment of animals, publicly protests animal research.
However, Tommasina Miller, the group's president, said her organization strongly disapproves of the violent actions of the ALF in California.
"I don't think it's proving anything to anyone," Miller said. "On the completely opposite side, we try to be as peaceful as possible. Extremists kind of give us a bad name."
Fortner agreed that protest is a good thing for the research community because they challenge researchers to find better and safer methods.
"I think everyone is entitled to their opinion," Fortner said. "But the UCLA situation goes way beyond the bounds of reasonable expression."
