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
Tag: animal welfare
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
YES to Animal Welfare and NO to a Ban on Animal Research
The following is a guest piece by Prof. Michael Hengartner of the Basel Declaration. An organization founded in Germany to promote well-regulated humane research using animals. The Goals of the Basel Declaration and the Basel Declaration Society Animal welfare and scientific and medical progress are not contradictory. More than 800 international researchers have already shown … Continue reading YES to Animal Welfare and NO to a Ban on Animal Research
Good Lord! They’re Defending Animal Research
Individual European governments are currently working out how to translate a new EU Directive on Animal Research into their own national laws. It would seem a good time for governments to be talking about the benefits of well-funded, humane research using animals. Wait a minute .... the British Parliament are. To ask Her Majesty's Government … Continue reading Good Lord! They’re Defending Animal Research
Speaking of Regulations
Regulations of research has always been an important issue for animal welfarists (as opposed to animal rights activists who start on a fundamentally different set of assumptions). Many people do not realize that there are strict protocols that monitor and regulate research. For this reason we have created a new page dedicated to the regulations … Continue reading Speaking of Regulations
A Curious Tale: Researchers and their Animals
Below is an account of how one researcher (Scicurious from the Neurotopia blog) views her animals, and the lengths she goes to ensure their welfare. Although such relationships vary from researcher to researcher, this account is almost certainly one which many researchers and animal care technicians will sympathise with. Scicurious (blogging pseudonym) is currently a … Continue reading A Curious Tale: Researchers and their Animals
Raising Voices: Animal Research Advocacy and Community Engagement
Animal rights groups and extremists have raised a very loud chorus against animal research. Well-funded, media-savvy campaigns and over-the-top publicity stunts ensure that the public receives a biased and negative message about the role and value of animal studies. As a result of decades of investment in extensive campaigning, these groups have contributed to decreasing … Continue reading Raising Voices: Animal Research Advocacy and Community Engagement
Animal Care Technicians
Many misconceptions exist about exactly how animal research is conducted in laboratories. Some of the misconceptions come from a lack of awareness whereas others come in the form of intentional misinformation on the part of animal rights groups. Successful research relies on the dedication of many individuals with a variety of roles, from primary investigators … Continue reading Animal Care Technicians