Spread the message for hope You Can

An interesting year 2016. Not only because there is a presidential election in the US and candidates must outline their vision of the future of biomedical research but most certainly also because support towards animal research is increasing on two critical aspects.

Firstly, researchers are doing more to talk about their research and the use of various animal models such as non human primates and why they are critical towards medical progress. As a matter of fact around 400 of them have signed a public letter to endorse the use of non human primates as critical if we are to find cures for neurodegenerative diseases and more. Do take a look at who signed and the research they are involved in. I mean this is huge for those are heavy weight researchers whose opinions are not to be taken lightly. In addition thereto over 20 organizations signed the letter on behalf of their members. They are the major league of research and if these combined can not persuade you of the necessity and value of this work then nothing can or will.
Do remember there are millions of us out there waiting for a cure or a treatment and bio medical research represents hope, a means of making medical progress for humans and animals alike.

Secondly, a direct outcome of this hard work are visible undeniable results. There is a lot of progress. I can't mention all of them there are too many but they are Tangible and impacting the lives of us all. See the image below describing research achievements with non human primates as of the year 2000. On this blog for example there have been over 46000 views and my 25K tweets about research reach a growing and interested audience. One that makes the difference between propaganda and informing the public.

Think of those affected by ebola, malaria, zika-virus or hiv , think of their loved ones enduring the decline, the pains and the void once fallen to the disease. Look at this and say these disabled people, amongst whom my beloved brother, do not deserve a better life? It is not about animals or us, it is about us and animals for we all need medical progress.

Don't be misguided! Support animal research.

Please don't be misguided, do try to understand why we as a society continue to invest in and support animal research. I do so on a regular basis for not only do I learn about new techniques, discoveries or advances but also it allows me to distinguish between facts put forward by the scientific community and the fiction animal extremists put forward.

I do want to point out that I am not remunerated to do so by anyone. My motivation is based on a need to know and the exposure to animal research at a certain point in my career. By now, for those of you who have followed me here on the blog or on twitter, this means roughly +20K tweets on the subject and almost 40000 views on my blog. Enough clues to make the point.


I insist though that you as a member of the public must understand why, when and where there is animal research. I do hope that my tweets and the links or articles they contain or point to, enable you to make up your mind or at least educate you about the subject. I do not condemn people for making certain dietary food choices but do point to those who try to stop animal research by all means necessary. In 2015 an animal rights activist, as a result of prosecution under AETA, has been condemned to prison. Read about it here. It is sad that things had to come to this but it is just; the uncompromising views and actions of these individuals result in an expected sentence: guilty as charged. This trail to jail had been announced a long time ago. Misguided , ill advised and radicalized, sounds familiar? Animal extremists cause too much damage, not just to researchers and institutions but also to animal conservation (ebola -great apes) and to those patients that are anxiously awaiting medical progress. It is not a broken record but a reality and a necessity. Unless of course animals must be born free!

From experience I know most of you now expect me to post a link to a science based article, so I will kindly oblige and refer you to Hollis Cline and Mar Sanchez as to the reasons why animal research is necessary. Dont just take my word for it, but please do take theirs. After all they are scientists who want you to understand what it is they do, why, when and where. Or you might just want to read this article and decide for yourself if monkey research isnt necessary, cruel and a baby trade!

Finaly if reading isnt your forte just watch this and decide for yourself where you want the NIH to focus on and make a donation to those who contribute to real medical progress. The investment is worthwhile for you will invest in your own future now!