A bill shielding the identities and addresses of university personnel engaged in research conducted using animals cleared a Senate committee Friday with almost no discussion, except from the bill's sponsor, Sen. Greg Bell, R-Kaysville

"There have been some unfortunate incidents where persons of certain political persuasions have discovered the identities and residences of researchers and they demonstrate in front of their homes with bullhorns and they make life miserable," Bell said.

Both the U. and Utah State University support SB 113, which would amend the Government Records Access and Management Act.

"There has been paint thrown on property and one faculty member had glue in his locks," said Jeff Botkin, the U.'s associate vice president for research.

A spokesman for Utah Primate Freedom, which demonstrates outside researchers' homes, dismissed the allegations of vandalism and denounced Bell's legislation.

"You cannot remove someone who receives public funds from public accountability," said Harold Rose, a 2006 U. graduate. "There are already laws on the books against harassment and vandalism. None of us has been charged with that, let alone convicted. These people know what they are doing cannot be publicly defended."

Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City councils both adopted ordinances banning demonstrations outside homes in the wake of such protests, most recently in front of the home of a U. professor of neonatology who studies effects of diet on fetal development using primates.

"It's incredibly frustrating," Rose said. "Every time we approached this through more conventional means, we get shot down."

While Rose's group targets primate research, Bell's legislation makes no distinction concerning species. As proposed, SB 113 would presumable apply to those engaged in research on fruit flies and mice. These species are common research subjects for studies related to human physiology, but without the controversy surrounding primate research.

The U. wants to maintain open scientific dialogue," Botkin said. "We are only interested in protecting people who are potentially being identified for animal-rights demonstrations."