There are differences. Humans can transcend their biological lives in ways that other animals cannot. Humans can study, understand and challenge nature by means of technological might, in ways other animals cannot. Humans can store knowledge in perpetual form and secure its benefits for all future generations, in ways other animals cannot. Evolution resulted in our … Continue reading Being Humane
Tag: animal rights
Animal People’s Statement on Animal Rights Extremism
In this holiday season Animal People reminds us all that we are privileged to live in a democratic society, where different points of view can be expressed, discussed and debated freely, and where violence has no place as a tool to advance social change. Speaking of Research welcomes and applauds this statement. We hope the … Continue reading Animal People’s Statement on Animal Rights Extremism
Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the activities of Dr. Steve Best, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at El Paso and long time supporter of animal rights extremism. Indeed, only last month we discussed his support for campaigns of harassment and intimidation against students and scientists, prompted by a recent … Continue reading Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
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
Opponents of animal research should refuse medical treatment
In a new post, animal rights activist Rick Bogle bemoans that his side is often challenged with a natural question: “Would you forgo medical treatment developed through animal research?” We can safely assume that the vast majority of those that oppose animal research do not have any qualms about vaccinating their children and companion animals or … Continue reading Opponents of animal research should refuse medical treatment
Animal Models of Dystonia – Part II
An invited post by Erwin Montgomery, M.D., and Michele A. Basso, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison. Based in part on some of the findings of altered learning in rodent models, a primate model of dystonia was developed. This model revealed that repetitive stimulation of fingers not normally stimulated together resulted in dystonic postures of the … Continue reading Animal Models of Dystonia – Part II
Animal Models of Dystonia – Part I
An invited post by Erwin Montgomery, M.D., and Michele A. Basso, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dystonia is a neurological disorder of movement characterized by sustained muscle contractions affecting one or more sites of the body. Dystonia frequently causes twisting and repetitive movements and abnormal postures resulting in relentless pain. If dystonia affects one part … Continue reading Animal Models of Dystonia – Part I
Predictions and Animal Models of Human Disease
Some animal activists argue human disease cannot be modeled in animals. They think physiological differences between species imply that treatments developed by means of animal research will not translate to humans. Prediction through the development of models is no doubt a goal of scientific work. Predictions are the fruits of theories that can be tested … Continue reading Predictions and Animal Models of Human Disease
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