A Public Conversation on Animal Ethics: The good, the bad, and the ugly

The UW-Madison recently hosted a conversation on the ethics of animal research between Rick Marolt, an opponent of animal research, and Robert Streiffer, a bioethicist at the university and member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Here are some of my thoughts on this interesting exchange. The good: Above all, it is good … Continue reading A Public Conversation on Animal Ethics: The good, the bad, and the ugly

A Closer Look at How Animal Research Progresses from Idea to Study

Unfortunately, the “how” and “why” of the research process is of much less interest, and receives far less attention, than the “what did they find?!” part of research. The latter is what you’ll see—if we’re lucky from the science outreach perspective— on television, in the science and popular media, Facebook, Twitter, and conversations world-wide. Meanwhile, … Continue reading A Closer Look at How Animal Research Progresses from Idea to Study

Pop Quiz!

Take out a piece of paper and a sharpened #2 pencil. Please read carefully the following story and answer all the questions. You have 15 min. One Saturday morning Dr. X was walking her dog thinking about some recent results in her field when it dawned on her that she might actually have the key … Continue reading Pop Quiz!

Standing Together: Widespread Support for OSU and its Research

Standing Together: Widespread Support for OSU and its Research

Oklahoma University President Interferes with Federally Funded Health Research

  Call for Support of Oklahoma Scientists and Research Programs   Speaking of Research, along with scientists and others across the country, were appalled to learn yesterday that Oklahoma State University’s President cancelled a research project for which his university had already accepted federal funding and which had been approved at all levels of review … Continue reading Oklahoma University President Interferes with Federally Funded Health Research

Have your Senator and Congressman signed yet?

Backing up a recent post by DrugMonkey, Speaking of Research is now urging you to write to your Member of Congress (contact my Congress Representative) and Senator (contact my Senator) to request that they sign the Pro-Test Petition. For example (Pick one of the three coloured paragraphs): Dear <insert name of your Senator/Member of Congress … Continue reading Have your Senator and Congressman signed yet?

Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

In a continuing effort to improve the conditions for animals in research, the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) has initiated an update to the 1996 version of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (commonly known as the Guide). The Guide is not only the basis for AAALAC International accreditation, but … Continue reading Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals