Does your organization maintain a subscription with Americans for Medical Progress? If not, this springtime is the perfect time to consider the many benefits of becoming a financial partner.

Each week throughout the month of May we’ll be telling you about some of our most impactful programs that support, protect and defend the biomedical research community.

Here’s just one of the many services we offer:

Years ago, most universities and biotech companies provided only minimal information on their websites about the important role of animals in health research. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case, as many organizations have bolstered and embraced public education and outreach efforts.

If you need help getting started, we’re here to assist. However, even if your website already includes a public information section, biomedical research is constantly evolving, just like public attitudes. As a result, occasional updates, adjustments and expansions are needed in order to inform key audiences.

That’s where AMP comes in. 

Americans for Medical Progress is constantly creating new materials – such as tip sheets, advice articles and messaging on emerging topics – to help organizations effectively communicate about the need for animal studies.

Better yet, most of these resources are just a few clicks away. We post them on the AMP Partner Resources Portal, a password protected section of our website filled with extensive materials and advice. And all of these items are available 24-7 to organizations that support our mission.

If your employer is already a supporter and you want access, drop us an email. If you want more information about our subscription levels, send us a note.

And that’s just one of the many benefits available to AMP subscribers

Click here to make an organizational donation. We also accept individual gifts. 

Or click here to contact us and learn about our comprehensive services and programs

Does your organization maintain a subscription with Americans for Medical Progress? If not, this spring is the perfect time to consider the wide-ranging benefits of becoming a financial partner with AMP.

Each week throughout the month of May we’ll be telling you about some of our most impactful programs that support, protect and defend the biomedical research community.

Here’s just one of the many services we offer:

Did a challenging public records request just land on your desk? Has a reporter asked to speak with someone at your facility? Does the portion of your website focused on animal studies require major updates or do you need help in improving internal communications related to animal studies?

Organizations that support Americans for Medical Progress have access to all of these communications services and more. Our staff members have deep experience working in both academic and private biomedical research settings. As a result, we are not only familiar with most challenges, we’ve often developed effective strategies to overcome them.

In addition, AMP has broad connections with universities and companies across the United States, meaning we have likely assisted with similar issues in the past or can connect you with peers who can provide additional advice when necessary.

And don’t forget, we also accept individual donations to help support our mission!

Click here to make an organizational or personal donation

Or click here to contact us to learn more about our comprehensive services and programs

On Thursday, April 11, 2024 an AMP opinion article on a crucially important topic was published in the Tallahassee Democrat. The op-ed is focused on the current shortage of nonhuman primates for biomedical research in the United States. The shortage was created by a variety of factors, including China’s decision to end animal exports during the pandemic, requiring biomedical research companies to quickly seek out alternative sources for these crucially important animals. The increased need for NHP studies to develop new COVID-19 vaccines and therapies also had a significant impact on the supply of research animals.

In recent months, plans to build much-needed breeding facilities on U.S. soil have repeatedly been targeted by a variety of animal rights organizations. AMP authored this opinion article to provide some critical context and inform the public about why facilities such as this are urgently needed to protect both human and animal health.

Excerpt:  

“If you’ve received a flu vaccine, or given your child cold medicine, you have directly benefited from animal research. If you’ve taken insulin for diabetes, received the polio vaccine, undergone chemotherapy, underwent coronary bypass surgery, had kidney dialysis, or taken medications for psychiatric illnesses, research in nonhuman primates played a big part in those treatments.”

“Critics often argue that computer models or organs-on-a-chip can replace animal research. And while these technologies help reduce the number of animals that need to be studied, they are still in their infancy and cannot fully replicate the intricate workings of the human body. “

Read more

August 14, 2023

Lindsey Galbo-Thomma, Ph.D., a behavioral pharmacologist with more than 10 years of academic and industry experience working with an array of laboratory animal species, has been awarded the ACNP-AMP BRAD Fellowship. The fellowship is a partnership between the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the health research advocacy group Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). It was created to help raise public awareness about the essential role of animals in biomedical research, specifically for the study of brain-behavior-drug interactions and advancements in neuropsychopharmacology – the study of all forms of mental health disorders and their treatments. Fellowship winners also help to promote careers in the field.

Click here to read the full press release.

August 1, 2023

A coalition of 40 organizations representing the scientific, veterinary and conservation communities are partnering to advocate for the protection of longtailed macaque monkeys – both in captivity and in the wild. Their recommendations seek to ensure the healthy continuation of this species within natural habitats and to protect future medical advancements that benefit humans and animals alike.

Click here to read the full press release.

Our Curious Science Writers are not only curious, they’re also remarkable students! 

High school student Tara Prakash attended last year’s science writing Boot Camp. Afterwards she wrote an article about nonhuman primate research aimed at helping us better understand and treat autism, a story which should hit the cSw website in the near future. Tara also authored a blog post about the 2022 Boot Camp, providing future prospective students with an inside view. 

But that’s not all!

Last month the Journal of Student Research published a scientific article authored by Tara. The title: “Zebrafish Demystify Human Skin Color Variation and Develop a Basis for Pigmentation.” The full article is posted online (no membership required). You can find it at this link.    

Congratulations Tara!

Based on all indicators, Biomedical Research Awareness Day 2023 was another smashing success. Once again, we witnessed broad, worldwide participation including: 

• More than 230 registered events around the world, topping all previous records and making 2023 the biggest BRAD to date.  
• International participation in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Pakistan, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and Germany. 
• A wide variety of engaging and educational events such as lectures, facility tours, information booths, classroom visits, interactive games for staff and attendees, online engagement, distribution of educational materials, giveaways and more. 
• Over 700 registrations for this year’s official BRAD webinar featuring Dr. Tania Roth of the University of Delaware. In many cases, groups ranging from 10 to over 150 people gathered to watch the event.      

We’ve highlighted several regional celebrations on the BRAD Facebook page. We were also pleased to see several posts from research organizations taking part in the annual event as well. 

Here’s a brief video highlighting just a few of the hundreds of celebrations worldwide:

Don’t forget that Biomedical Research Awareness Day was designed to take place any time of the year. So if your institution was unable to participate on April 20th, you don’t have to wait another 12 months! Plenty of free resources, including several newly developed items, can be found on the BRAD website.

Finally, one more big thank you to all of our 2023 sponsors:

We could not have done it without you!

Thursday April 20th, 2023 was Biomedical Research Awareness Day. We hope many of you work at institutions that take part in this increasingly popular outreach and education event created by AMP.

If you didn’t have a chance to attend a BRAD activity, it’s not too late. This  year’s BRAD webinar is available via replay. Just click this link  and fill out the registration form to watch it.

This year’s presenter is Tania Roth, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware. She explains how nonhuman animals provide vital information that helps us understand how early-life experiences can significantly affect development and lifelong health. This year’s webinar also includes a rat tickling demonstration by Megan Gerhardt of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, which is AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease Unit.

We hope you can find the time to watch this outstanding presentation. 

The next program in the AMP Outreach and Communications Webinar Series, our first of 2023, is coming in May.

Tuesday , May 2, 12 p.m. ET

Post-COVID Challenges, Hurdles and Solutions in Lab Animal Care Settings

COVID-19 has ushered in several life-changing impacts, especially within biomedical research settings. And many of the pandemic’s effects continue today. These include: 

• Continued recruitment and retention issues. 
• Engagement problems created by the increased use of online meetings.  
• Morale challenges that surfaced during the pandemic and continue to exist.  
• Training issues: In-person vs. online and additional technology hurdles.  
• Supply shortages, supply chain problems. 

AMP will host a panel discussion with senior lab animal experts in both academic and business settings to discuss how they’ve addressed and continue to manage these issues using creative strategies, many of which will likely assist a wide range of research organizations. 

Audience members will be invited to share their own, additional post-COVID challenges for an open discussion about possible solutions. 

Click this link to sign up. Note: Please sign up using a work-associated email address so that we can verify you are affiliated with a biomedical-science organization.