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.

AUTISM needs YOU and Research

Some people have disabilities, like autism for example. The lives of those affected aren't easy. Not for them and not for their families.

But you can make a difference. You can make sure there is healthcare coverage for those affected. You can make sure research is funded. You can make sure families get help because as with many disabilities help is needed. To those of you involved in translational research and advancing medical science I say thank you.

We should all know that research helps too. As is the case with translational research. AUTISM SPEAKS is looking for postdoctoral fellowships in translational research. Here's how the need is defined:

Autism Speaks is pleased to announce the third year of its postdoctoral fellowships in translational research. This program supports promising and well-qualified postdoctoral scientists pursuing training in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) translational research. We invite applicants from public or private institutions working in preclinical or clinical research arenas. Successful applicants will detail a project that bridges basic laboratory research and behavioral or biomedical clinical research, with a training plan that includes mentoring in both basic and clinical research environments.
We encourage “bench-to-bedside” approaches that delineate a path from preclinical models of ASD to well-defined patient populations, as well as “back-translational” projects that enrich the skills of behaviorists and clinicians through basic research on ASD biology and mechanisms of therapeutic intervention. The results should have the potential to promote preclinical or clinical trials that improve outcomes for individuals with autism.
More details and instructions for applying can be found in the RFA here.
 

One child in 88 is linked to autism.There are other disabilities linked to the brain.  Add those affected to the 88 and you will start to get the picture of those that one day may get a cure. I am not against saving non human primates nor against the use of  animals in research. I support those that are looking for cures.     

 

Beware, take action for animal research

I have blogged about the value of the non human primate model in research. Now is the time to voice your support towards such research. Faseb has issued the following action alert asking you to contact your US Senators to protect the humane use of animals in research.

You need to oppose S810, the Great Ape protection and Cost savings act. Follow the link here.



images courtesy http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/resources/image-library/?c=16&return_url=%252Fresources%252Fimage%252Dlibrary%252F

Here's the details:

The Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (S 810) would prohibit the use of chimpanzees and other great apes in biomedical research, which could have severe consequences for ongoing studies seeking prophylactic vaccines for hepatitis C and safety testing of monoclonal antibody therapies. The bill would also halt ongoing research that could benefit great apes themselves, such as development of an Ebola vaccine for wild gorillas and chimpanzees, whose population is being ravaged by the disease. Most importantly, the bill would make it impossible for scientists to act quickly in the event that apes are needed to study a newly emerging infectious disease.
Supporters of the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (GAPSCA) claim that chimpanzees in research are being mistreated and that chimpanzee research is unnecessary.

These claims are false:
(1) Chimpanzee research is conducted under strict regulatory oversight.

Federally-funded chimpanzee research is subject to the Animal Welfare Act, the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Animals, and AAALAC accreditation. GAPCSA supporters exaggerate the incidence of problems and assert that outdated practices such as single housing in small cages are the norm. Standards for the care of chimpanzee have changed dramatically in recent years and have become more demanding as our understanding of their behavioral needs has increased. Animals are typically housed in large enclosures with access to both indoor and outdoor areas. Environmental enrichment is required, and they are housed socially except when isolation is necessary for health reasons.

(2) An expert panel convened by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2011 concluded that research with chimpanzees may still be needed.
Because chimpanzees are intelligent and social animals, the panel recommended strict criteria to determine when the research is necessary. While the IOM report noted that the need for chimpanzee research has decreased as alternatives have become available, it is important to maintain the capacity for this research in the event of future disease challenges. NIH is taking steps to implement the IOM's criteria, including determining whether the research addresses an important health problem; whether there is an alternative research model; and what impact the research would have on the animals themselves.
TAKE ACTION: Use the form on this link to let your Senators know that you oppose the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act.

images courtesy http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/resources/image-library/?c=16&return_url=%252Fresources%252Fimage%252Dlibrary%252F

El Al airlines bites the dust

Another airline became the latest victim of animal organizations: El Al. In the fight against any animal use El Al was subjected to thousands of emails, facebook messages, phone calls and boycott petition signatures as is reported here on facebook and  by South Forida Smash HLS. El Al is said to refrain from transporting Mazor farm monkeys destined to SNBL laboratories in Texas.

Whilst I have no information on what research these monkeys were destined to, what now appears as a victory to some is a right out loss to us the silent majority. Despite the savvy campaigning and marketing spin, it is simply not true that the vast majority of people are against the use of animals in research. When informed people make the difference and support research. In fact what researchers and academics alike need is our continued support, our speaking out in favor of animal research and their service providers. Not because this has to to do with torturing animals or not, but because we just can not afford to take the risk of not testing on animals, of not learning from this research what works and what doesn't. We can not afford either that governments do not stand up for health care. In this case it is Israel's high court that needs to issue a ruling in support of the research industry. This will indeed send a strong message. It is time for an international coalition against these initiatives for too much is at stake in terms of human suffering and medical progress.

We do not need to gauge emotions against emotions, the pain and suffering of animals versus the need for cures and treatments of humans. That is playing the game of animal advocates whom claim the holy ground in the name of animals. The benefits of health care can not afford to take second place behind animals. There's just no way José, sorry ain't going to work.

Take a look at this site lobbying to close NewCastle's animal lab.  None of these entities speaking on behalf of animals have been elected. They do not speak on behalf of us either but merely express an opinion. Nothing more nothing less.
Today it is El Al - who will it be tomorrow Air China, China Southern or Air France KLM ?
None of them needs to bite the dust, if only we stand behind them , United and in support of animal research ! I rest my case please rest yours.

Sitting on the fence

In reading my previous posts you may well wonder why I insist so much on the issue of non human primates and their use in animal research when it is a fact that rodents such as rats and mice represent the majority of animals used. Is it because I feel it is being used as a wedge issue? Is it because once the use of monkeys has been prevented other species may follow? Or is it because sitting on the fence is not comfortable and thus one draws conclusions and decide which side of the fence to be on?

Source:understanding animal research 

Perhaps indeed there is some of that but in my opinion there just is no fence. There is research because there are questions. There are questions because there is illness, disease, disorder, pain and death. There are so many of us that are working day in day out to find the answers we are looking for. These very answers benefit both humans and animals. We can not afford to let these people down, nor can we afford as a society to let those that are affected down. No one owns compassion, ethics or morals but they are being used to create the fence. All have to sit on the fence, it helps for making contributions.

It is a blessing that most of us look upon rats and mice with disgust, perhaps because of their past plague spreading reputation. They sure contribute to medical advancement now and there are plenty of articles that show how lives have been saved or medical advancement achieved. Take the case of some form of leukemia that had a 70% likelihood of causing mortality in affected children 25 years ago. Now 80 percent of the children have a chance of surviving. These aren't my numbers, nor is it my work.
As usual you can read the information here on the University of British Columbia web site.
Thank you for your commitment, your work and your achievements UBC, we Owe you!

Source: understanding animal research

Now look at demographics. Our societies are getting older, life span expectancy has increased dramatically over the last few centuries. Diseases and quality of life will be different in a few decades from now. Lots of people to nourish, cure or keep healthy! Unexplored territories and certainly different realities from what they are now. I don't know if we can prematurely age rodents to have relevant models as it is done with obese mice but surely we need to look ahead.

Should you live to a hundred years, you'd want this to be in as healthy a condition as possible. Perhaps even without strokes, rheumatism or arthritis. A degenerative disease may call for the need of replacement. Replacement first has to be tested in living species, as has the donor acceptance/rejection mechanism. PS; for paralysis see previous posts.

Could it be that our close relative the monkey holds some of the answers we will be looking for? We may not like it but it helps keeping the options available. Hate to think that we have thrown out the water with the baby or are thinking of it. So do the fallen ones I guess. Just ask those that survived and remember to be pragmatic: there is no fence.