A Pathetic Defense of Dr. Lawrence Hansen

At Speaking of Research we recently commented on the self-contradictory positions of Dr. Lawrence Hansen. We think it is problematic for Dr. Hansen to be a PeTA member who publicly and vociferously  protests the use of animals in medical research and, simultaneously, to engage in, provide funding for and support animal research himself.  We questioned how … Continue reading A Pathetic Defense of Dr. Lawrence Hansen

The Double Life of Dr. Lawrence A. Hansen

Dr. Lawrence A. Hansen has a double life he is proud to publicize in his writings and interviews. On one hand, he is a neuroscientist at one of the finest institutions in the country -- the University of California at San Diego.  On the other hand, he is a member and a mouthpiece for People … Continue reading The Double Life of Dr. Lawrence A. Hansen

The Day Italy United for Science – 8 June 2013

It seemed like a crazy plan when we first heard about it from our friends in Pro-Test Italia at the end of April, to organize a day of events in cities across Italy to campaign for correct scientific information, and to do so in less than 6 weeks...and with a starting budget of precisely nothing. … Continue reading The Day Italy United for Science – 8 June 2013

Fair partners in dialogue: Starting assumptions matter and they should be spelled out

Editors' note: Because the issue of starting assumptions remains in any dialogue about animal-based research, this post has been updated (December 2018) to include more recent anti-animal research organizations, and to provide up-to-date links.  The importance and need for civil, open dialogue about the complex set of issues involved in use of animals is among … Continue reading Fair partners in dialogue: Starting assumptions matter and they should be spelled out

What if animals could tweet?

Georgianne Nienaber, a political and investigative reporter for the Huffington Post, posted an article entitled “What if Lab Animals Could Tweet?” The  article was prompted by a recent Gallup poll showing an increase disparity in the moral acceptability of “medical testing on animals”.  Younger people, in the 18-34 years bracket, showed a decline of about 19% … Continue reading What if animals could tweet?

Today’s Science live chat: Scientists discuss ethics of studying chimpanzees in captivity

In anticipation of NIH announcing a closely-watched decision on the potential retirement of hundreds of federally-funded chimpanzees, Science is hosting a live chat this afternoon at 3 p.m. EDT. The chat features several well-known scientists who will discuss some key issues relevant to the future of chimpanzee research, including: “What, if any, research should continue … Continue reading Today’s Science live chat: Scientists discuss ethics of studying chimpanzees in captivity

Animal rights activism and medicine 100 years ago

There is a rather interesting book, Animal Experimentation and Medical Progress by William Williams Keen, published in 1914, which describes some of the incidents in the animal research debate during the early 1900s.  What is  striking about this book is that it illustrates very clearly how little (if at all) the arguments and tactics of animal … Continue reading Animal rights activism and medicine 100 years ago

For Life on Earth – The Birth of Another Pseudoscience Organisation

Who are FLOE? There is a new British animal rights group on the scene called “For Life on Earth” or FLOE for short. Founded by Louise Owen, who has worked with both Medical Research Modernisation Committee and Seriously Ill Against Vivisection (both now defunct), the website seems almost an advertising tool for the various writings … Continue reading For Life on Earth – The Birth of Another Pseudoscience Organisation