January 9th 2020 Short read summary: Local news reported yesterday that the council of a small Wisconsin city voted in favor of an ordinance that would “ban dog and cat experimental breeding in Richland Center and prohibits transporting dogs and cats outside of Richland Center for experimentation elsewhere.” The only source cited in the WKOW … Continue reading #AskScientists: Small US city bans research animal breeding, why?
Speaking of Research Year in Review 2019
January 1st 2020 It’s been a great year for Speaking of Research, with over 600,000 site visits and sustained engagement by our 5000+ avid social media followers and readers. As in previous years, we worked closely with media outlets and scientific and other advocacy organizations to defend public interests in science, support scientists, encourage greater … Continue reading Speaking of Research Year in Review 2019
Is Animal Research Worth the Expense?
Certain government lobby groups, such as the White Coat Waste (WCW) Project, appear intent on casting scientists (the “white coats”) and the importance of their scientific work in a disparaging light. By focusing only on what they refer to as "wasted taxpayer money", they ignore the very real scientific and human health progress that results … Continue reading Is Animal Research Worth the Expense?
Mice, rats, pigs – and my mom
December 6, 2019 by Amanda M. Dettmer, PhD, Associate Research Scientist, Yale Child Study Center My mother just came home from a 5-day stay in the hospital last night, and today, this article about new research from my fellow scientists at Yale landed in my inbox: Seeing as how my mom went in for issues … Continue reading Mice, rats, pigs – and my mom
BREAKTHROUGH: Her vision was getting worse, then animal research made things clear
By Justin A. Varholick, Ph.D. As we grow older there’s an impending fear that we will slowly, but surely, begin to lose our vision. This slow loss of vision is clinically dubbed ‘low vision’ and impacts more than 39 million Americans, costs $68 billion annually in direct health care costs, and is only growing in … Continue reading BREAKTHROUGH: Her vision was getting worse, then animal research made things clear
Nov 2019 Update: What’s happening with campaigns and legislation aimed at US animal research and testing
We wrote about the legislative efforts and campaigns targeting nonhuman animal research in the US earlier this year. There, we took a broad look at some current campaigns, discussed mechanisms for various types of legislative efforts, and made suggestions for action. Today we look at the current status of legislation we wrote about in July, … Continue reading Nov 2019 Update: What’s happening with campaigns and legislation aimed at US animal research and testing
Opinion or fact? Chimp Haven should provide the public with evidence and data to inform critical decisions about retired chimpanzee health and well-being
Yesterday we wrote about NIH’s announcement that 44 elderly and/or frail chimpanzees would be retired in place at the Alamogordo Primate Facility instead of being transferred to the federal sanctuary, Chimp Haven (CH). The announcement drew a range of responses and media coverage. Responses that were critical of NIH’s decision came from leadership associated with … Continue reading Opinion or fact? Chimp Haven should provide the public with evidence and data to inform critical decisions about retired chimpanzee health and well-being
Retired in Place: National Institutes of Health Announces Decision to Prioritize Chimpanzee Health, Safety, and Psychological Well-being
Forty-four elderly and frail chimpanzees will not be forced to leave their social groups or partners to endure a stressful cross-country move, quarantine, and introduction to new housing at the federally-funded US chimpanzee sanctuary, according to an announcement posted today by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH’s announcement provides a public view of the … Continue reading Retired in Place: National Institutes of Health Announces Decision to Prioritize Chimpanzee Health, Safety, and Psychological Well-being