We are saddened to learn that IVF pioneer Professor Sir Bob Edwards has died at the age of 87, following a long illness. The University of Cambridge announced his death earlier today, noting that through his work Professor Edwards had improved the lives of millions of people around the world. Speaking about his former colleague, … Continue reading IVF pioneer Sir Robert Edwards dies aged 87
Category: Science News
An Ongoing Conversation with Robert Streiffer on Science and Ethics
I would like to thank Prof. Robert Streiffer for taking the time to comment on an earlier post of mine regarding the ongoing dialogue on the ethics of animal research at UW-Madison. I had originally drafted an email to him with a reply, which is now reproduced below. I am sure the readers will forgive … Continue reading An Ongoing Conversation with Robert Streiffer on Science and Ethics
Extending a Public Conversation on the Ethics of Animal Research
The following is commentary by Prof. Robert Streiffer on a previous post by Dario Ringach. It was originally published on a UW-Madison website but was subsequently removed. It is being republished here with his permission, with Dario's reply to it being published on SR tomorrow. On March 11, 2013, Rick Marolt and I engaged in … Continue reading Extending a Public Conversation on the Ethics of Animal Research
UK Regulations: How do you get a licence to carry out animal research?
There are three levels of licensing required before a procedure can take place in the UK. The project, the individual and the institution must all have licenses from the Home Office. This post aims to discuss the process of getting a personal licence in the UK and is written by Peter Wright a PhD student … Continue reading UK Regulations: How do you get a licence to carry out animal research?
From Macaques to Humans: UK regulator gives cautious thumbs up to advanced IVF techniques to prevent mitochondrial disease
Yesterday the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) advised the government that there is no evidence the two advanced forms of IVF developed to prevent mitochondrial diseases are unsafe, recommending that research using human embryos should continue, with close monitoring of the health of children born through these two techniques, which are known as maternal spindle transfer and pronuclear transfer. At the … Continue reading From Macaques to Humans: UK regulator gives cautious thumbs up to advanced IVF techniques to prevent mitochondrial disease
Liver transplant breakthrough set to save thousands of lives: Thank the pigs!
On Friday the BBC reported that Ian Christie, a man who developed cirrhosis of the liver after being infected with hepatitis C during a blood transfusion 25 years ago, had become the first person in the world to receive a transplanted liver that had been preserved at room temperature rather than being cooled after being … Continue reading Liver transplant breakthrough set to save thousands of lives: Thank the pigs!
Reduction: A Measure You Can’t Measure
The 3Rs – Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animal research – can we measure the impact? Seems easy enough, but there are challenges. How many experiments have been replaced by non-animal alternatives? Do we count every time a cell culture is used in an experiment that might once have been done in vivo? No. While … Continue reading Reduction: A Measure You Can’t Measure
Why mice may succeed in research when a single mouse falls short
The New York Times recently produced an article entitled "Mice Fall Short as Test Subjects for Humans’ Deadly Ills" which argued that certain mouse models were flawed. This post by Mark Wanner was originally posted on The Jackson Laboratory's "Genetics and Your Health" blog aimed to clear up some of the misunderstandings that may have … Continue reading Why mice may succeed in research when a single mouse falls short
Speaking of Research 