Animal Rights Vandals Help Make Our Point

The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) conducted a recent billboard campaign that confronted the public with the ethical dilemma posed by the use of animals in research. The question was simple: Who would you rather see live?  Assume you are confronted with a hypothetical situation in which you can save only one of these two … Continue reading Animal Rights Vandals Help Make Our Point

A paralyzed man stands again…thanks to animal research!

Yesterday an article appeared in the New York Times describing how scientists, supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, have used electrical stimulation of the lower spinal cord to enable a man who had been completely paralyzed below chest level to stand again,  and even to take steps … Continue reading A paralyzed man stands again…thanks to animal research!

Open your eyes: go blind for a day!

May is “Healthy Vision Month,” a good time to celebrate the past accomplishments of scientists and clinicians in advancing vision health and to draw attention to the importance of the sense of sight. The occasion also brings back memories of animal right activists distributing pamphlets at UCLA declaring that “blindness is not a life threatening disease” … Continue reading Open your eyes: go blind for a day!

Help Defend Research: Apply for the Michael D Hayre Fellowship

Our colleagues at Americans for Medical Progress are taking applications for the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach. In 2008 I became the Inaugural Fellow, using the opportunity advance public understanding of medical research through Speaking of Research (which was joinly supported by AMP and Pro-Test). I would recommend anyone interested in defending lifesaving … Continue reading Help Defend Research: Apply for the Michael D Hayre Fellowship

More Moral Confusion at PeTA

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) are, once again, intent on proving their deep moral confusion to the public.   This time, they felt necessary to comment on the killing of Osama bin Laden with an invitation to bite his head off: If you're a little hungry after being up all night watching the … Continue reading More Moral Confusion at PeTA

Now is the Time to “Speak of Research”

Over the past decades we have heard many warnings about the need for scientists to engage with the public.  Unfortunately, the bulk of the scientific community has largely ignored such calls. Fourteen years ago, in their book, “World apart: how the distance between science and journalism threatens america’s future”, Hartz and Chappell explained that  “at … Continue reading Now is the Time to “Speak of Research”

Waking up the Neighbors: A Neighborhood Response to Animal Rights Extremism

In previous posts, we've highlighted revolting new tactics by AR extremists, including the targeting of students and young scientists. Some animal rights extremists envision a future where the nation's brightest students and talented scientists must live in fear for the safety of themselves and their families.  As for what such war would look like, some of … Continue reading Waking up the Neighbors: A Neighborhood Response to Animal Rights Extremism