In this holiday season Animal People reminds us all that we are privileged to live in a democratic society, where different points of view can be expressed, discussed and debated freely, and where violence has no place as a tool to advance social change. Speaking of Research welcomes and applauds this statement. We hope the … Continue reading Animal People’s Statement on Animal Rights Extremism
Month: December 2011
Merry Christmas for Patients with Hemophilia B
That was the headline of an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) which discussed the very promising results of a small clinical trial of gene therapy to treat hemophilia B – also known as Christmas Disease*. Patients with haemophilia B suffer bleeding in the joints and muscles due to deficiency in a … Continue reading Merry Christmas for Patients with Hemophilia B
Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the activities of Dr. Steve Best, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at El Paso and long time supporter of animal rights extremism. Indeed, only last month we discussed his support for campaigns of harassment and intimidation against students and scientists, prompted by a recent … Continue reading Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
Afterthoughts on IoM report on the use of chimps in scientific research
Thursday marked an important moment in the history of animal research. The long-anticipated report of a committee convened by the Institute of Medicine (IoM) to consider whether chimpanzee research is scientifically necessary released its report, quickly followed by a statement from Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NIH, the director accepting the committee's recommendations. The report … Continue reading Afterthoughts on IoM report on the use of chimps in scientific research
The end of cancer? A personal view.
My husband died of stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer on August 19, 2011. I have been an advocate for biomedical research, specifically involving animals, for decades. I go to work each and every day supporting researchers involved with discovering new cures or treatments. I dedicate time outside of those duties to promote education regarding the … Continue reading The end of cancer? A personal view.
Empathy and Altruism in Rats?
A recent paper in Science discussed behavioral data in rats suggestive of empathically motivated behavior. This is a potentially very important report for two major reasons. First, a deep understanding of the mental and psychological abilities of rats, and other species, is a crucial goal for comparative psychologists, evolutionary biologists and other basic scientists. Second, … Continue reading Empathy and Altruism in Rats?
What Cost Savings? A Closer Look at the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011
The status and future of chimpanzee research in the US are at the heart of much discussion lately in both scientific and public (also here and here) spheres. A committee convened by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to consider the issue held a number of meetings and is expected to report its findings to the … Continue reading What Cost Savings? A Closer Look at the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011
Gorgons Visit Earth
There is a classical argument against animal research that surfaced in a recent conversation with Robert C. Jones. It is a thought experiment that can be traced back to science fiction work in the 50s, although its exact origin is unknown. The story involves the landing of an aliens on Earth. Robert calls them "The Gorgons." The … Continue reading Gorgons Visit Earth
Speaking of Research 