Letter to the editor: Critic of animal testing repeats multiple inaccuracies
There’s so much incorrect information in Gina Garey’s March 29 letter criticizing animal testing, it’s hard to know where to begin.
First, “adverse reactions to drugs” are not the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Accidents, including car accidents, are. Adverse drug reactions are not even in the top 10! Read more.
Animal care panel sues own university, fearing harassment from animal rights activists
In an unprecedented move, members of a confidential group that oversees animal research at the University of Washington (UW) have sued their own school to block the release of their names to an animal rights organization. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been trying to obtain this information for more than a year, charging that the makeup of the university’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) violates federal law. But the committee’s members—citing an uptick in animal rights activism at the school, including protests at the homes of individual scientists—say they fear PETA and other animal rights organizations will use their names to target them. Read more.
In a first, state bill would require nearly perfect welfare record for research dog and cat suppliers
A major supplier of dogs and other animals for academic and corporate research, which was cited last year for dozens of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations at its Virginia beagle-breeding facility, was targeted by the state’s lawmakers this week. On 7 and 8 March, both houses of the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would cripple a large facility run by a company called Envigo if a single serious animal welfare offense is documented there. The bill was sent yesterday to the desk of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has 30 days to sign or veto it, although any veto could be overturned with enough votes from legislators. Read more.
UC Davis primate lab sued to release documentation of Neuralink experiments
On Feb. 10, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine submitted a complaint to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) against UC Davis for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act in its research with Neuralink, a company owned by Elon Musk. Additionally, the Physicians Committee filed a lawsuit against the university with Yolo County to release documentation related to the research in accordance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA) on the same day. Read more.
The Elephant (and Mouse) in the Room
Eryn Dixon, PhD, describes herself as a non-confrontational person. The postdoctoral research scholar at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis doesn’t normally like to go toe-to-toe with someone, especially when it comes to controversial subjects. It’s in part why she didn’t always share that her lab research involved working with animals. Read more.
Animal research essential to medical innovations
Day in and day out, health studies in animals provide critical new insights that improve both human and veterinary medicine.
This ethical, regulated scientific research is a cornerstone of health care innovation. But it is being threatened by activists who would like to replace Dr. Francis Collins, the longtime and highly respected director of the National Institutes of Health, with an ideologue. Read more.
Letter to the Editor: ‘Doctors’
It’s pretty misleading for the organization criticizing Neuralink’s brain chip studies in animals to refer to itself as a “physicians group”
According to the group’s own website, doctors make up less than 10 percent of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s membership. On top of that, PCRM’s physician members account for less than 2 percent of all licensed doctors in the United States. Read more.
Neuralink critics lack medical credibility
Re. “Elon Musk’s Neuralink fends off animal abuse claims after criticism of its treatment of monkeys,” Feb. 15:
It’s pretty misleading for the organization criticizing Neuralink’s brain chip studies in animals to refer to itself as a “physicians group.” Read more.
Concerns Grow Over Monkey Brain Research At UC Davis Involving Elon Musk Company
There are growing concerns over medical research conducted at UC Davis on live animals. The experiments involve a company co-founded by Elon Musk.
For several years, more than 20 monkeys at the UC Davis primate center were used in research to treat brain disorders. Read more.
Controversy Grow Over UC Davis Monkey Brain Research Involving Elon Musk’s Neuralink
There are growing concerns over medical research conducted at UC Davis on live monkeys involving a company co-founded by Elon Musk.
For several years, more than 20 monkeys at the UC Davis primate center were used in research to treat brain disorders. Read more.