The EU has just put up its Seventh statistical report (and additional detailed stats), which provides the 2011 statistics of the numbers of animals used in research (though France provided 2010 stats). It shows that since 2008 (the sixth report), the number of animals has dropped over 4%, from 12 million down to 11.5 million … Continue reading EU statistics show Decline in Animal Research Numbers
Category: Science News
Animal research brings hope to the girl whose skin never heals
On Friday the BBC broadcast a moving report about a young girl named Sohana Collins, who suffers from the painful and life threatening genetic disorder epidermolysis bullosa (EB), caused by mutations in the type VII collagen gene (Col7a1). The report also included an interview with Prof John McGrath, Professor of Molecular dermatology at Kings College … Continue reading Animal research brings hope to the girl whose skin never heals
Primate Report sees through Misleading Claims of Animal Rights Groups
On 28th November 2013, the UK Animal Procedures Committee (APC) released its latest report entitled “Review of the assessment of cumulative severity and lifetime experience in non-human primates used in neuroscience”. The report, by the APC’s Primate Subcomittee, was chaired by Prof John Pickard, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Cambridge University. This comprehensive … Continue reading Primate Report sees through Misleading Claims of Animal Rights Groups
Successful gene therapy for hemophilia A in dogs – humans next!
On Wednesday we were saddened learned that double Nobel laureate Fred Sanger had died, so it was fitting that yesterday also saw the announcement of an important scientific advance that owes everything to the molecular biology revolution he helped to launch – one that may improve the lives of many thousands of people with Hemophilia A. … Continue reading Successful gene therapy for hemophilia A in dogs – humans next!
Mice and Mustard Gas: A History of Chemotherapy
We write a lot of articles about the role animal research is playing in promising upcoming research. Sometimes it results in a breakthrough, sometimes it doesn't - but it often takes years to find out. Chemotherapy is an older example of how decades of research and testing - including with animals - can build into … Continue reading Mice and Mustard Gas: A History of Chemotherapy
Animal research and diabetes: Now the truth must be told – Part 2
In yesterday's post we described how animal research contributed to the understanding and treatment of diabetes – most importantly with the discovery of insulin. In this post we address some of the common misinformation that activists are circulating on social media about the role of animal experiments in diabetes research. a) One of the most valuable … Continue reading Animal research and diabetes: Now the truth must be told – Part 2
Animal research and diabetes: Now the truth must be told – Part 1
Today we will take a look at the series of discoveries and innovations that led to the development of insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes, and tomorrow we will take a closer look at some of that claims made about this by animal rights activists. With the World Diabetes Day coming up on 14th November, … Continue reading Animal research and diabetes: Now the truth must be told – Part 1
Don’t let PeTA bullies control the direction of medical research, education and training
What do you know? PeTA is at it again. This time their rage is directed at “RoboRoach” — a science project aimed at introducing students to sensory neurophysiology and brain-machine interfaces. Backyard Brains is selling an experiment for educational purposes that illustrates one of the fundamental scientific tools that allow us to restore function in patients … Continue reading Don’t let PeTA bullies control the direction of medical research, education and training
Speaking of Research 