Yesterday the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) announced most extensive full face transplant completed to date, including both jaws, teeth, and tongue. In a marathon 36-hour operation the surgical team led by Professor Eduardo Rodriguez were able to transplant a face of an anonymous donor onto their patient Richard Lee Norris, who had been … Continue reading The new face of transplant surgery, thanks to animal research
Month: March 2012
PeTA, Celebrities and Violence
In an incident widely reported this week, the public learned that Kim Kardashian was attacked by an anti-fur activist with a bag of flour. Normally we would not pay attention to such goings on, the sartorial debacles of minor celebrities are amusing but of little importance, and we are well aware of the ethical distinctions … Continue reading PeTA, Celebrities and Violence
Of what use?
By Isaac Asimov One may detest nature and despise science, but it becomes more and more difficult to ignore them. Science in the modern world is not an entertainment for some devotees. It is on its way to becoming every-body's business. -- Theodosius Dobzhansky, in The Biology of Ultimate Concern. It is the fate of … Continue reading Of what use?
Big Questions, but few answers from opponents of animal research
A recent edition of the BBC1 Program called “The Big Questions” offered a brief debate on animal research. Among those discussing the issues was SR's founder, Tom Holder. Within this post we will discuss some of the many issues which were touched upon, but barely explored in this brief debate. Some of the questions centered … Continue reading Big Questions, but few answers from opponents of animal research
Professor Doudet vindicated as investigation rejects animal rights allegations.
Two weeks ago we discussed the targeting by Canadian animal rights group Stop UBC Animal Research (STOP) of University of British Columbia scientist Professor Doris Doudet. STOP alleged that Prof. Doudet had performed experiments on monkeys without the approval of the UBC Animal Care Committee, and then lied in a scientific paper to cover her … Continue reading Professor Doudet vindicated as investigation rejects animal rights allegations.
Hypothermia in stroke: EuroHYP moves from rats to man
Earlier today the BBC reported that European Stroke Research Network for Hypothermia (EuroHYP) has announced the launch of a major clinical trial – involving 1,500 patients in 15 centers across Europe – to evaluate whether cooling the body by 2 degrees can reduce the risk of death and disability in ischaemic stroke. The trial, known … Continue reading Hypothermia in stroke: EuroHYP moves from rats to man
Tom Holder to Debate on the BBC’s Big Questions
Tom Holder, founder of Speaking of Research, will debate the question "Is Animal Testing Ever Justified?" on the BBC1's The Big Questions. The show is live on Sunday at 10am GMT (BBC1 - UK Channel). The panellists speaking on the show, hosted by Nicky Campbell, include - Supporting animal research: - Tom Holder, founder of … Continue reading Tom Holder to Debate on the BBC’s Big Questions
The 21st Century Scientist
Earlier today we discussed some of the characteristics of the animal rights crank, so it’s perhaps appropriate that an award announced earlier this week has highlighted the best qualities of the scientists who are really shaping 21st century medicine. The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation has awarded its 2nd €1-million Brain Prize to Professor … Continue reading The 21st Century Scientist
Speaking of Research 