True to their promise to dog Covance at every step of the way, local citizens against Covance, through their friends the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, have filed a lawsuit against the city of Chandler, alleging that "city officials violated the Arizona Open Meeting Act and city ordinances in allowing Covance to build in the Chandler Airpark."
Add Chandler to the long list of frivolous lawsuits that PCRM has brought over the last 20 years.
That is what PCRM does best; bring unfounded lawsuits to stir up publicity for causes they oppose. Just Google "frivolous lawsuits Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine" to see a partial list of the suits they have brought. Most have been dismissed as utterly without merit, as this one will be - after a shameful waste of city officials' time and taxpayers' money.
One article describes PCRM as "a wolf in sheep's clothing."
"PCRM is a fanatical animal rights group that seeks to remove eggs, milk, meat and seafood from the American diet, and to eliminate the use of animals in scientific research. Despite its operational and financial ties to other animal activists groups and its close relationship with violent zealots, PCRM has successfully duped the media and much of the general public into believing that its pronouncements about the superiority of vegetarian-only diets represent the opinion of the medical community."
They pass themselves off as a doctor-supported, unbiased source of health guidance. According to Newsweek (Feb. 23, 2004), however, "Less than 5 percent of PCRM's members are physicians."
The American Medical Association (AMA), which actually represents the medical profession, has called PCRM a "fringe organization" that uses "unethical tactics" and is "interested in perverting medical science." In fact, the AMA issued the following policy statement regarding PCRM in June 1990 (and re-affirmed that policy in 2000):
"Our AMA registers strong objections to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine for implying that physicians who support the use of animals in biomedical research are irresponsible, for misrepresenting the critical role animals play in research and teaching, and for obscuring the overwhelming support for such research which exists among practicing physicians in the United States." (Resolution H-460.965)
While AMA rescinded this policy in June 2006, mainstream physicians continue to criticize PCRM and their tactics. According to Brenda Craine, AMA director of media relations, their current policy issued in June 2007 clearly affirms their "support for use of animals in teaching, product safety testing and research."
The PCRM lawsuit against the city of Chandler is utterly without merit. It should and will be next in the long line of frivolous suits brought by PCRM that have been dismissed for lack of substance or credible evidence.
It is just noise to get their name in the news, which seems to be their biggest talent - next to raising money. Word is they have an annual budget of $10 million to work their mischief.
The city does not need or deserve the aggravation of nuisance civil actions.
Covance is a $4 billion company (market cap) with global operations in more than 20 countries. One cannot build in 20 countries without meticulous attention to the details of local permitting processes and a rigid adherence to all regulatory requirements.
Covance has lawfully filed for and legally received all necessary permits to build a new facility. It has received the required approvals from air, water, and environmental regulatory agencies. It has started to build what will be a boon to the city of Chandler and the entire state of Arizona.
Before approving the application to build here, Chandler city officials visited the Covance facilities in Vienna, Va., and Madison, Wis., where Covance has been for more than 70 years and 50 years, respectively.
They spoke with the mayor of Madison and city officials, university professors and administrators, as well as business and community leaders. Everyone praised Covance for the multiple benefits it brings to their city and state.
Covance and its employees have a proven record as good citizens. According to Mark Bugher, director of the University of Wisconsin Research Park, "The company is held in very high regard here."
After an extensive search for an ideal location for a new, large, state-of-the-art research facility, Covance has chosen Chandler. Initially Covance will hire 200-300 employees. Eventually they expect to hire 2,000.
At present, Covance employs more than 8,100 worldwide. That illustrates the confidence it has in Chandler as the ideal place to be and grow.
Covance will not only provide an economic boost for Chandler. It will be a magnet for other biotech research companies that will follow their lead to Arizona. Biotech is the new high tech. Just as high tech has been an engine of economic growth in Arizona for more than 30 years, biotech will be the engine for growth for years to come.
I, for one, applaud the decision of the mayor and City Council to persuade Covance to build here. I am proud to join the majority of forward thinking Chandler residents who welcome Covance to our community.
Joe O'Neill is a member of Arizona Citizens United for Research and Employment. He lives in Chandler.
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