Individual European governments are currently working out how to translate a new EU Directive on Animal Research into their own national laws. It would seem a good time for governments to be talking about the benefits of well-funded, humane research using animals. Wait a minute .... the British Parliament are. To ask Her Majesty's Government … Continue reading Good Lord! They’re Defending Animal Research
Month: October 2011
UK Trends in Animal Rights Activism – The Rest of the Story
Recently, I posted an analysis of animal rights extremism in the UK, USA, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Sweden. By looking at the number of Animal rights activities annually over a 3 month period I described in a drop in the number of illegal incidents in the UK. In the previous post I said: The UK … Continue reading UK Trends in Animal Rights Activism – The Rest of the Story
Global Trends in Animal Rights Activism
I note that as I write this post I have no idea how this post will conclude. In order to count the number of global animal rights incidents I began to scan the Bite Back website (warning: AR extremist website) which logs most (all?) incidents of animal rights extremism globally. I found that eight countries … Continue reading Global Trends in Animal Rights Activism
Guest post: Efforts to ban chimpanzee research are misguided.
The status and future of chimpanzee research in the US are at the heart of much discussion lately in both scientific and public spheres. Discussion of human relationships with the great apes, their role in research—past, present, and future—and our responsibility for their continued care deserve thoughtful, well-informed consideration by both the scientific community and … Continue reading Guest post: Efforts to ban chimpanzee research are misguided.
A paralysed man touches his girlfriend’s hand…thanks to animal research.
Earlier this year we reported that scientists at the University of Pittsburgh had launched clinical trials of two different brain implant systems, known as brain machine interfaces, that aim to give quadriplegic patients control over a prosthetic limb. At the time we noted that this technology was built on years of basic and translational research … Continue reading A paralysed man touches his girlfriend’s hand…thanks to animal research.
All in a day’s work: Scientists promote alternatives
Once upon a time, the medication BoTox (made by a company called Allergan) was tested for its potency, on a batch by batch basis, in living animals. This medication, which is really a protein derived from bacteria, has many important therapeutic purposes. For example, it has been shown to be very effective in the treatment … Continue reading All in a day’s work: Scientists promote alternatives
I don’t like Rick Bogle
In a new essay Mr. Rick Bogle says I don’t like him. He is right. He never met me. He doesn't know me. He has never been to my Lab. He doesn't understand my work. He doesn't know what I stand for. He doesn't know about my social activism, political views or my life in general. He … Continue reading I don’t like Rick Bogle
Science’s Voices Must be Heard!
When my colleagues and I were first confronted with violence from animal rights groups we were offered the following justification: “... direct action is the only choice available when all other attempts at open discussion are brushed off. The university’s resistance to public discussion is proportional to the frustration it engenders by doing so. To … Continue reading Science’s Voices Must be Heard!
Speaking of Research 