Some sneaky local officials got together with Safer Human Medicine, a newly organized company that intends to build one of the largest monkey breeding facilities in the nation... behind the townspeople's back.
County and city officials involved in the project had to sign nondisclosure agreements, so the public wasn't notified until the day the deal with Safer Human Medicine was signed.
Angry residents held meetings expressing their concerns about the large 200-acre Monkey Farm in their backyard. Finally, during a public meeting at the county commission chamber there was a ray of hope towards stopping the project.
The agreement granting Safe Human Medicine tax breaks would be voided because the commission didn't properly notify the public before approving it.
Unfortunately, it didn't halt the project or nullify the land lease deal because the city of Bainbridge owns the land, not the county.
What the Local Citizens Fear
People fear that monkeys might spread diseases and - in the case of a major hurricane or tornado - escape.
They're concerned the massive facility's waste may damage the environment. Especially the nearby Flint River, which flows into Lake Seminole and whose waters are a prized jewel where residents swim and it's a nationally recognized place for fishing competitions.
There are 15,000 residents living in Bainbridge. The Monkey House's goal is maintaining a residence for 30,000 monkeys that will be experimented on. In other words, tortured for the sake of science.
The project's organizers say it'll bring in 250 jobs, but residents are more concerned about preserving their way of life.
Using Animals as Research Subjects is Immoral
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine claim they have no alternatives that can fully replace using nonhuman primates and dogs.
I call bullshit on that excuse!
In this day of artificial intelligence advancements, I can't believe there's no viable alternatives. They probably cost too much and its cheaper to slaughter primates and dogs in the name of science.
As it stands, the citizens in Bainbridge have banded together and are getting help from organizations like PETA to fight for their town. As one lifelong resident was quoted as saying, "We can't give up now. We got to keep telling them we don't want this in Bainbridge."
