On June 4th 2013, Elias Zerhouni, a former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) made some comments at a Scientific Management and Review Board (SMRB) meeting that were reported in NIH Record as follows: “We have moved away from studying human disease in humans,” he lamented. “We all drank the Kool-Aid on that … Continue reading Zerhouni Sets the Record Straight on Animal Research
Category: Science News
USDA Statistics for Animals Used in Research in 2012
In 2011 the USDA stopped publishing its animal research statistics on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website (with the last full stats being 2010). We have recently received the 2012 statistics for animals used in research under the Animal Welfare Act. Overall the number of animals used in research fell by 16% … Continue reading USDA Statistics for Animals Used in Research in 2012
The British Government sets out a positive future for animal research
Today, the British Government set out its pledges on the future of animal research under the current Coalition Government. A joint paper put out by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, the Department for Health, and the Home Office entitled "Working to reduce the use of animals in scientific research" laid out the future … Continue reading The British Government sets out a positive future for animal research
Guest Post: Characterising high fructose corn syrup self-administration in laboratory rats
It's January, and across the country millions of people have promised themselves that they will eat less, loose weight and become healthier. But why do some people eat more than others? No matter what they try there seems to be no way to stop their overeating. Public education is a powerful tool to combat some … Continue reading Guest Post: Characterising high fructose corn syrup self-administration in laboratory rats
Visionary Science: Gene therapy saves sight thanks to animal research
Yesterday the BBC News and Guardian Newspaper reported that a team led by surgeon Professor Robert Maclaren at the Oxford Eye Hospital had succeeded in using gene therapy to halt the decline in vision in six patients with the progressive eye disorder choroideremia. All six patients were taking part in a clinical trial, and what was … Continue reading Visionary Science: Gene therapy saves sight thanks to animal research
Canadians Support Animal Research
The Canadian Council on Animal Care is an autonomous and independent regulatory body that oversees the ethical use of animals in science within Canada. They are accountable to the Canadian public and are responsible for the dissemination of information on the use of animals in science to Canadians. In December 2013, the CCAC released poll … Continue reading Canadians Support Animal Research
Speaking of 2013: A year in summary
As another year for Speaking of Research has passed it seems only appropriate to spend a moment looking back.Animal research is important because of its contributions to human and animal health. In 2013 we saw a promising clinical trial for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), the development of pluripotent human stem cells from cloned human skin cells, … Continue reading Speaking of 2013: A year in summary
Cancer Immunotherapy: A breakthrough made through animal research
The prestigious journal Science has published its top 10 Breakthroughs of the Year 2013, and top of the list is a development that promises to have a huge impact on the lives of millions of people in the coming decades – Cancer Immunotherapy. The article focuses on three particular therapies that have recently shown great … Continue reading Cancer Immunotherapy: A breakthrough made through animal research
Speaking of Research 