After decades of heavy investment by our government and society in genetic research, we now sit at the precipice of a genetic revolution—fully eclipsing the current digital revolution. Surprisingly, the majority of mRNA therapies in human trials are targeting cancer.
Author: Editor
Octopuses can teach us a lot
This past fall I found myself walking along the beach in the Gulf of Mexico searching for sea-shells and stumbled on an octopus at the edge of the tide. It was the first time I had ever seen the fascinating creature outside of the aquarium, and I almost instantly felt a rush of excitement. I … Continue reading Octopuses can teach us a lot
A virus is killing elephants, scientists are testing vaccines to help
February 17th 2022 Across the globe, an elephant specific virus called “elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus,” or EEHV, a herpesvirus that has killed more than 70 elephants in zoos across Europe and North America and groups of wild elephants. The virus was first documented in 1995 by a group of scientists and veterinarians at the Smithsonian’s National … Continue reading A virus is killing elephants, scientists are testing vaccines to help
PETA doesn’t think this woman deserves to see
Decades of animal research have led to restored vision in a woman who previously suffered from toxic optic neuropathy 16 years ago. PETA and WCW think she should remain blind.
Human mRNA vaccine trials in the 2010s? A history lesson in animal research
The recent mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 are the first of their kind, but they weren’t created overnight. RNA itself was discovered in the 1960s. Then, basic research in the 1970s paved the way for vaccine development in the 90s, optimization in the 2000s, clinical trials for influenza and rabies in the late 2010s
The pandemic isn’t over, but a new pan-coronavirus vaccine developed with monkeys could change that
A new report from The Duke Human Vaccine Institute shows a pan-coronavirus vaccine is possible for protecting against many variants of SARS-CoV-2, including SARS-CoV-1 and bat variants.
The UK is hoping to pass an animal sentience bill. Again!
The UK is hoping to pass an animal sentience bill after leaving the EU. But they avoid defining 'sentience' and limit 'animal' to nonhuman vertebrates.
Animal research ‘in parallel’, lessons from Spina Bifida
Some often think animal research follows a step-wise trajectory until the research is developed into a human therapy. But the two often continue in parallel. Spina bifida and open fetal surgery are a great example of this process.
Speaking of Research 