Animal rights activists often argue that animal models are irrelevant for human medicine, because they are ‘so different’ from us. But in fact some basics are shared across wildly distant species – something that the Nobel Committee acknowledged last year when they gave the Prize for Medicine and Physiology to Bruce Beutler and Jules Hoffmann … Continue reading Of Mice, Rice, Flies and Men
Tag: animal research
An Open Letter to the Laboratory Animal Veterinary Community and Research Institution Administration
The decades following passage of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act in the 1960s are marked with wide-ranging and significant changes to the administration, oversight, and responsibility for daily operations of institutions engaged in laboratory animal research. The intent of the legislation, and the central purpose of the accompanying and continuing changes, is to best ensure … Continue reading An Open Letter to the Laboratory Animal Veterinary Community and Research Institution Administration
A Proposal for the Labeling of Medicines
In a recent poll conducted by Zogby, 2,100 adults in the U.S. were asked the following question. Do you agree or disagree with medical and scientific research that requires lab animals? The results showed a similar outcome to that of other recent polls. About 52% of the population approve of animal research in various degrees, about … Continue reading A Proposal for the Labeling of Medicines
Ignorance or Deception?
Animal rights activists may want to start cooling down their engines. Apparently, by 2050 we can expect the complete elimination of animal use in science. At least, this is the prediction made by Dr. Andrew Rowan, Chief Scientific Officer of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in a recent article that appeared in … Continue reading Ignorance or Deception?
The end of cancer? A personal view.
My husband died of stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer on August 19, 2011. I have been an advocate for biomedical research, specifically involving animals, for decades. I go to work each and every day supporting researchers involved with discovering new cures or treatments. I dedicate time outside of those duties to promote education regarding the … Continue reading The end of cancer? A personal view.
Empathy and Altruism in Rats?
A recent paper in Science discussed behavioral data in rats suggestive of empathically motivated behavior. This is a potentially very important report for two major reasons. First, a deep understanding of the mental and psychological abilities of rats, and other species, is a crucial goal for comparative psychologists, evolutionary biologists and other basic scientists. Second, … Continue reading Empathy and Altruism in Rats?
Gorgons Visit Earth
There is a classical argument against animal research that surfaced in a recent conversation with Robert C. Jones. It is a thought experiment that can be traced back to science fiction work in the 50s, although its exact origin is unknown. The story involves the landing of an aliens on Earth. Robert calls them "The Gorgons." The … Continue reading Gorgons Visit Earth
Remembering a hero of the struggle against HIV/AIDS
December 1st is World AIDS Day, dedicated to raising awareness of the worldwide AIDS pandemic, to support people living with HIV/AIDS and to commemorate those who died. The disease has claimed over 25 million lives. Worldwide, over 33 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first report … Continue reading Remembering a hero of the struggle against HIV/AIDS
Speaking of Research 