"It has promise, but there is a lot more to learn," Langert said in an interview.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal rights group known for its campaigns against fast-food companies, withdrew a shareholder proposal asking McDonald's to look into the alternative slaughter method after the company said it would issue a report on the subject by June of 2005, spokesman Bruce Friedrich said.

PETA, which holds shares of several corporations, has submitted identical proposals to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Wendy's International Inc., Safeway Inc., and Applebee's International Inc., Friedrich said. A "more comprehensive" proposal had been submitted to Yum Brands Inc. , parent of the KFC fried-chicken restaurant chain, he added.

PETA contends that chickens supplied to McDonald's and others are sometimes scalded to death while still conscious, a method it deems inhumane. In controlled-atmosphere killing, chickens are put to sleep quickly and painlessly using argon or nitrogen gas, advocates say.

Despite heavy-handed tactics like throwing fake blood at fur-clad celebrities, PETA has had an impact on businesses.

Earlier this year, poultry producer Pilgrim's Pride Corp. vowed to crack down on chicken abuse after a video released by PETA showed workers stomping and kicking live chickens at a plant that supplies chicken to KFC.