The Speaking of Research website has evolved. We have redesigned the front page and included a new section on Pro-Test. What do you think?
Gary Francione: “I don’t believe in vaccinations”
We previously discussed the anti-vaccination stance of a member of the animal rights group “Progress for Science”. The fact that this individual prefers oregano oil, ginger, garlic, and other herbs over vaccines did not come as a surprise. We have already noted the strong similarities between the arguments espoused by the anti-vaccination and animal rights groups. … Continue reading Gary Francione: “I don’t believe in vaccinations”
From clinic to mouse to clinic: New HIV gene therapy shows promise!
Yesterday a team of University of Pennsylvania researchers – led by Dr Pablo Tebas, Professor Carl June, and Dr Bruce Levine – announced the successful conclusion of a clinical trial to evaluate the safety of a new gene therapy technique for treating HIV. It is a result that may eventually allow millions of HIV positive … Continue reading From clinic to mouse to clinic: New HIV gene therapy shows promise!
The Science and Medicine of “Progress for Science”
The animal rights group “Progress for Science” (P4S) made one more appearance last night to harass a UCLA professor at his home. Don’t let their name fool you. The consequences of P4S's advocacy are backwardness and regression. To advocate for science you must be familiar with it; to advocate for progress you must understand medical … Continue reading The Science and Medicine of “Progress for Science”
Myth Busting: “Penicillin is toxic in guinea pigs but not to humans”
“Penicillin is toxic in guinea pigs but not to humans” ““Had they chosen to test penicillin on hamsters or guinea pigs, it is likely that it would have been discarded” Taken on face value the statements above are true – penicillin is toxic to guinea pigs (1). The trouble comes when this is used as … Continue reading Myth Busting: “Penicillin is toxic in guinea pigs but not to humans”
Fact into Fiction – Why Context Matters with Animal Images
A curious thing happened recently. The following picture of “animal testing” surfaced on Twitter and was retweeted over five thousand times (and counting) over the course of one week. It runs with a message “Retweet if you say NO to animal testing. #Animalrights”. The message has been recurring on Twitter for some time, though its … Continue reading Fact into Fiction – Why Context Matters with Animal Images
Background Briefing on Animal Research
Having a full understanding of all the issues surrounding animal research can be a challenge for even science-specialist journalists, let alone general journalists, editors and broadcasters who have to handle many unrelated issues each and every day. Speaking of Research have produced a two-page summary of the key information which general news producers, journalists, presenters … Continue reading Background Briefing on Animal Research
Zerhouni Sets the Record Straight on Animal Research
On June 4th 2013, Elias Zerhouni, a former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) made some comments at a Scientific Management and Review Board (SMRB) meeting that were reported in NIH Record as follows: “We have moved away from studying human disease in humans,” he lamented. “We all drank the Kool-Aid on that … Continue reading Zerhouni Sets the Record Straight on Animal Research
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