Once upon a time the likes of Facebook and Myspace were strictly the domain of animal rights groups. Then, in 2006, Pro-Test changed this by using many of these social networking tools to boost a more positive, pro-research message. Hundreds of members to its Facebook group quickly turned into thousands, and spreading the message of … Continue reading Speaking of Facebook
Honoring a fallen hero in the struggle against Cystic Fibrosis and AR extremism
Yesterday I learned some sad news via the Understanding Animal Research blog, that a young woman named Laura Cowell had died, succumbing to cystic fibrosis at the age of just 25. To see a life so full of promise end so prematurely is always sad, but what makes this death so gutting is that Laura … Continue reading Honoring a fallen hero in the struggle against Cystic Fibrosis and AR extremism
From Science to Miracle in 2 years: The Discovery of Insulin
For more information about the discovery of insulin we recommend you read our more recent post: Animal research and diabetes: Now the truth must be told Part 1 and Part 2 A mere one hundred years ago, when people were diagnosed with diabetes, they were handed down a death sentence. There was no treatment for … Continue reading From Science to Miracle in 2 years: The Discovery of Insulin
Promising clinical trial result for exon skipping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Last Monday the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign announced that the antisense oligonucleotide drug AVI-4658 had performed well in its second clinical trial in 19 boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is one of the most common hereditary disorders affecting the skeletomuscular system, and which results in progressive muscle degeneration, difficulty in walking and breathing, and … Continue reading Promising clinical trial result for exon skipping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Value of Animals in Pre-Clinical Trials
In the early stages of development a new drug must be tested in a series of human clinical trials. The earliest phases of trials aim to assess the safety and tolerance of a drug in human volunteers. In planning such trials you face an obvious question: what initial dosage to use? Of course, you want … Continue reading The Value of Animals in Pre-Clinical Trials
Explaining Addiction Research
Dr. Larry Hansen, Professor of Pathology and Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego, recently wrote a letter critical of some of our research; the letter was posted to the website of an anti-science organization called “Stop Animal Exploitation Now” and appears to be in support of an anti-animal research demonstration to be conducted … Continue reading Explaining Addiction Research
Whatever happened to dialogue?
One of the goals of Speaking of Research and Pro-Test for Science is to communicate facts and information about the responsible use of animals in biomedical research. A second, equally important goal, is to try to understand the impediments to dialogue and establish a two-way conversation with animal activists and members of the public that are truly interested in … Continue reading Whatever happened to dialogue?
Good news on HIV prevention – thanks to animal studies
A once-a-day pill is effective in preventing HIV infection, according to two big new human studies released last week. This could add a preventive pill to the toolkit of HIV prevention, alongside condom use, abstinence, and vaginal microbicides. Of course, these human trials would not have been possible had the drugs not been first shown … Continue reading Good news on HIV prevention – thanks to animal studies
Speaking of Research 