Scientists are often challenged with the so-called marginal case argument. We are asked to spell out the criteria that make our experiments justifiable in animals but not in humans with comparable abilities and therefore comparable interests. These criteria, we are told, must be evaluated for each individual separately (so-called moral individualism). The resulting argument against … Continue reading Objections to the Marginal Case Argument
Author: darioringach
Good, bad, useful? Reflections on animal models for Parkinson’s disease research
Parkinson’s disease is a relentless, ruthless neurodegenerative disorder that often strikes in the early “golden years”, around 60 years of age, but sometimes much earlier. It progressively robs its victims of every capability that makes life enjoyable, from their ability to move, talk, eat by mouth, and in the worst cases, decreasing their cognitive abilities. … Continue reading Good, bad, useful? Reflections on animal models for Parkinson’s disease research
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?
A Brief History of Deep Brain Stimulation
An on-going campaign against the use non-human primates to study Parkinson's disease (PD) at the University of British Columbia prompted me to summarize some basic facts about the work and the history of a successful therapy was developed. Why is the work done? In the U.S. alone there are between 500,000 and 1 million people living … Continue reading A Brief History of Deep Brain Stimulation
The Morality of Inaction: Reframing the Debate
Opponents of the use of animals in research challenge scientists and society as a whole to answer a simple question -- How can we possible justify harming other living beings in the course of scientific studies? In framing the moral debate with this question there is an implicit assumption that needs to be clarified. That … Continue reading The Morality of Inaction: Reframing the Debate
Follow the Law or Your Extremist Convictions?
This is the question that animal rights activist Camille Marino must be pondering as she heads back to Florida with an order by Wayne Circuit Court Judge Susan L. Hubbard to remove threatening statements from her web site against a Wayne State Professor, for which she will face trial on May 2nd. Marino's lawyer, John … Continue reading Follow the Law or Your Extremist Convictions?
A welcome end to random-source dog and cat dealers
The National Institutes of Health has announced that starting October 1, 2012, NIH funds may no longer be used to buy cats from Class B dealers. A similar prohibition in the purchase of dogs from Class B dealers takes effect in 2015. Although dogs and cats constitute only small percentage of research animals, they have … Continue reading A welcome end to random-source dog and cat dealers
Pop Quiz!
Take out a piece of paper and a sharpened #2 pencil. Please read carefully the following story and answer all the questions. You have 15 min. One Saturday morning Dr. X was walking her dog thinking about some recent results in her field when it dawned on her that she might actually have the key … Continue reading Pop Quiz!
Speaking of Research 