Back in February I wrote about the prominent role of Zebrafish in the British Heart Foundation's Mending Broken Hearts campaign, an initiative that not only highlighted fascinating developments in regenerative medicine but also the degree to which the public attitude towards animal research has shifted in the past decade. One reason for the change in attitudes towards … Continue reading Fish for Science
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Mice help scientists to understand the cancer genome
Yesterday I wrote about how studies carried out using genetically modified mice had enabled scientists to understand the role of the protein BLyS in the disease lupus, leading to the development of a new treatment, and last year I looked at how such studies were helping scientists to identify key genes that are involved in … Continue reading Mice help scientists to understand the cancer genome
Taming the Wolf: a new treatment for Lupus
Earlier today we posted a commentary on PeTA's misleading propaganda by Professor Anthony Garro of UMass Dartmouth. At the time I mentioned that it was a pity that Prof. Garro was not able to write more about the role of animal research in 21st century medicine, but a recent story in Nature News provides an excellent … Continue reading Taming the Wolf: a new treatment for Lupus
Professor Anthony Garro stands up for Science!
Last week Dario Ringach wrote on Speaking of Research about the morally repugnant arguments being made by PeTA ‘s Justin Goodman. Dario was not the only one to find Goodman’s arguments unreasonable, yesterday SouthCoastToday.com published a strong commentary by Professor Anthony Garro of UMass Dartmouth, which he has kindly given us permission to post in full. … Continue reading Professor Anthony Garro stands up for Science!
The Human or the Mouse? Would You Flip a Coin?
On March 8th I debated Prof. Gary Francione at Rutgers. It was an interesting, heated but civil debate, with a somewhat anticipated outcome. In a few words, we have profound, irreconcilable differences. There is a deep, fundamental gap between the views of the vast majority of the public and anyone whose moral theory declares permissible … Continue reading The Human or the Mouse? Would You Flip a Coin?
Spider silk used to repair nerve damage in sheep
On Friday I discussed some recent developments in use of stem cells to repair spinal cord damage, but central nervous system damage is not the only cause of paralysis; every year many thousands of people become paralysed in a limb due to peripheral nerve damage. A difference between peripheral nerve damage and central nervous system damage is … Continue reading Spider silk used to repair nerve damage in sheep
Transplanted astrocytes repair spinal cord damage in rat
A couple of weeks ago I discussed the launch of two clinical trials of brain machine interfaces designed to allow quadriplegic patients to control a newly designed prosthetic limb, during which I mentioned that scientists are also studying techniques that attempt to repair damage to spinal cords using stem cells. Several approaches have already shown … Continue reading Transplanted astrocytes repair spinal cord damage in rat
The Animal Researcher who Refused to Hide
A recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required) highlights a recurring theme in the struggle between researchers engaged in responsible, legitimate scientific study of animal subjects and critics of that research. That is, an open willingness of a few fanatical elements within the animal rights movement to embrace violent acts and an … Continue reading The Animal Researcher who Refused to Hide
Speaking of Research 