Regenerate, re-equip, regrow , reengineer

The bio medical field experiences some very exciting times. When it comes to paralysis, organ failure or missing limbs, tissues, there are now distinct promising approaches that will change many lives for the better.

With the use of pluri potent cells it is now possible to  imagine  that malfunctioning systems and organs will be regenerated.
We are now also at the point where paraplegics can regain a sense of touch. They are being re-equiped.
This is really sensational,  a great breakthrough for those affected, for the researchers and for society.
The third approach involves growing organs in host animals for grafting in humans.
 Finaly last but not least there is gene editing as in crispr cas9 which opens up a whole new world of possible animal models as part of our toolkit against disease, disorder and malfunction.

UC Berkeley

These are the new R's of the present future: regenerate,  re-equip, regrow, re-engineer 

In light of these promising directions it is high time that we as a society realize that this progress also builds on the knowledge gained by using animals. Not just in testing but also in basic fundamental research.
The animal part is small but it remains a key towards medical progress. Researchers around the world acknowledge this as do those who attribute Nobel prizes year in year out.

What about you? Some anti animal use organizations want to ✋ stop animal research despite the many advances attained via animal research.
Will you allow this? If not join those who speak for a silent majority and let others know why you think so.

Research gives me and many more Hope!

An interesting article on how animal research will help against the zika virus. You know transmitted via mosquitos as is the case for other diseases such as ebola or malaria. Animal research is much decried, rarely appreciated for what it does and mostly largely misunderstood by the general public.
That however does not mean it is useless, cruel or inadequate. You know when some say it, the type of research or results thereof, doesn't translate into human research or isn't applicable in humans they say it has no value. That is a wrong statement for through research we have learned about a disease, a virus or a physiological process or system.  That by itself is worth the endeavor. For some Hope is the only thing left in their fight for life! Let us not take that away too!

Now there is more going on behind the scene. Take a look at this 2008 article by Professor Colin Blakemore who teaches neuroscience at Oxford and Warwick Universities and is the former head of the UK's Medical Research Council. His conclusion speaks for itself: if we are to have any hope of treating such conditions (Alzheimer's, Multiple sclerosis,paralysis and schizophrenia), medical research needs every tool at its disposal. For everyone's sake, that must include animals. Today in 2016 this statement is as valid as it was when the article was written  and it shall remain so for the foreseeable future.
And as he did point out in the article those who oppose the use of animals in research are free to opt out from being dispensed drugs or treatments developed with the use of animals. Although I must say most of us, if vaccinated, have already been saved by animal research! Or as Lord Drayson has said it is time for us the public to ask ourselves the tough question about animal research Do I want those life saving medicines to be available to me, my family and friends? If yes then this research must continue to take place.

Another good read is this message by Hollis Cline President of the US Society for Neuroscience who reminds us the importance of basic research - such as in animal use research- in the drug development process. The eureka moment for drug development starts with a discovery in a lab. But basic research is also curiosity driven and therefore is able to produce unexpected results or greater understanding of biological processes. She warns that without a rich investment in basic research the drug development pipeline starves off.   I fully support her when she says that to accomplish the mission of improving human health we need to find the optimal balance of basic and translational research in the drug development pipeline and that means valuing and understanding every step in the process.
One of these crucial steps is animal testing let us not forget. Let us also take the time to understand its value and let us support it publicly. We all get to benefit from a healthy and well funded drug development pipeline.

I am not here to tell you what you should eat, wear, be sensitive about or not but as a father to two healthy kids and as a brother to a mentally handicapped child, let me tell you that in the light of the above hope I was referring to, it is by far not an exercise in futility to conduct animal research. It is a lifeline for many of us, who after years of giving care or of getting care have not given up the hope to one day see their loved ones, be they family, friends or total strangers cured from disease, disorder or affliction that has changed our and their lives forever. If that means conducting research on animals in an otherwise very regulated manner then you have my public support until the day it is no longer required. So let's make 2016 the year of public support to animal research. There are millions of us out there waiting for cures, a silent majority but not an immune one to the damages done by those opposing animal research. We have our voice and we will use it against you. Oh and if you happen to agree with me, please share this!

Death of a Hero who saved many lives! Yours??

There is a lot going on at the end of this Mowember month.

I'd like to start by mentioning the death of a hero - Dr. Joseph E. Murray- for a hero to mankind he was and he will sorely be missed. Even though most of us have never met him, his legacy will continue to serve numerous generations and every individual that has benefited of organ transplants.

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1990/#

Here's what Jacquie Calnan, president of Americans for Medical Progress has to say about him

Dr. Joseph E. Murray April 1, 1919 - November 26, 2012

 



 

Many of you will have already read of the passing of the surgeon who performed the first kidney transplant from a living donor, Dr. Joseph E. Murray, who was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1990 for his work in transplant research. Several links to articles follow.

A personal word, if I may.

As someone who conducted research with animals to unravel the mystery of organ rejection, Dr. Murray embraced AMP's mission wholeheartedly. He served on our Board of Directors for a quarter of a century, until his death this Monday. In the 1990s I was privileged to facilitate the publication of articles he wrote on the necessary use of animals in research for The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers. I learned that he was as precise and exacting with words as he was with a scalpel.

Despite his Nobel Prize and many other honors, Dr. Joe, as he asked to be called, was a humble man devoted to his family, medicine and his faith. In a statement released Monday night his son said that his father kept on his desk a quotation: Difficulties are Opportunities. Rick Murray said, "It reflects the unwavering optimism of a great man who was generous, curious, and always humble."

He is survived by his wife, Virginia 'Bobby' Murray, six children and 18 grandchildren.

We shall miss his sharp surgeon's mind, his passion for medicine, and his generous, caring heart.

Farewell, Dr. Joe.

Here are a few links to articles about the life and research of Joseph E. Murray, MD

Obituaries and Remembrances:
Boston Globe also here
Harvard Health Blog
New York Times
Associated Press
The Guardian

Source: Americans for Medical Progress

It is also high time to report on the online petition I launched a while ago:
we are now a growing community of over 400 supporters whom have signed on in support of medical advancement through science and animal research. Signatures are coming from all over the world and countries include Italy, USA, France, UK, Australia, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritius, Belgium, G.D. Luxemburg, Spain, India and many more. When signing the petition you will see regular updates.
The comments left are living testimony to the work done by researchers, medical doctors, surgeons and to all of those that in any way help save, or have been saved by, others including those working in laboratories, in pharmaceutical companies.

The petition will not be sent to anyone. It is there to be used to show there is support from the general public to medical progress through science and animal research.
If you want to read or pass on the original post in which the petition appeared click here.

I also want to mention and ask you to support an important initiative by the US Foundation of Biomedical Research that seeks compelling stories to tell from people like you for the  'Bench to Bedside' TV series (aired on ABC). To read the full story and what they are looking for specifically please follow this link.
We have all benefited of medical progress and animal research continues to contribute to saving lives. Those involved or saved have a story to tell as do those that are waiting for a cure or a life saving treatment. Please share it with your friends and colleagues.

Finally progress is always around the corner and this time I'd like to point to an article involving research by the University of Cambridge on dogs and spinal cord regeneration. Researchers have shown it is possible to restore co-ordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury (SCI).
An important breakthrough for those paralyzed.
Read it in english here and in french here.

Last but not least here's an interesting web site called  Xplore health where you can download educational materials for use in the classroom with kids or watch videos to discover the latest on health research. Available in several languages (Spanish, French, Polish, Catalan).


 

Richard Din

In life we all expect death to take away loved ones, friends and family. Life, as they say, goes on. As it has and always will. But we expect this to happen after a full and long life. It ain't necessarily so.
A friend of mine once told me about his sister who died unexpectedly after a fall. Her organs were donated and today a few other lives were saved or improved as a result of this action. She was in her early forties if I remember correctly.

In California at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs medical Center, Richard Din was a researcher involved in developing a vaccine against a meningitis strain. The strain was vaccine resistant and it somehow ended up in his blood.  He became ill on a Friday, a few hours upon leaving work.  He died of a heart attack the next day Saturday at 2pm, at the age of 25. You can read the full story here.

Richard Din was a researcher and died after handling a rare bacteria strain. He too gave his life to research. He was trying to find a cure that would have helped many of us. It is far too easy to forget about the thousands of brave men and women that are involved in the saving of lives through research and through giving health care. Of course we don't know most of them but on occasions like this it is only normal to pay tribute and if you have the means to contribute in one way or another to a cause that seeks to help, assist or builds upon finding cures for the benefit of mankind, please do so. It doesn't have to be money, it can also be some of your time as a volunteer. My contribution is very small, I only write about others that contribute one way or another to improving our lives, today or tomorrow. I also talk to my relatives and friends about the need for research and how it is negatively impacted by animal rights extremists. Sometimes one can cause great harm with all the best of intentions.

So THANK YOU Richard, for your hard work, your time and energy. Thank you for your dedication and your passion. May your intent and your contribution not be forgotten. It takes brave men and women like you to pave the way and inspire us all. I may not have known you but I sure will remember you!
Talking of improving lives as Richard did, I was reading a post by Dario Ringach on speaking of research about paralysis. The post called not difficult to grasp makes a terrific link between improving lives for paralyzed persons through research using monkeys. Make sure to watch the video. I share his enthusiasm about brain machine interface potential. We all however need to make sure monkeys remain available for such critical research. Do not let their supply chain come into harms way.

Advancing medical research takes a toll both on animals and on humans. In the end it takes our common will power to make it happen but most importantly it takes people like Richard or Dr Chet Morris and his colleagues to make science move on and to provide us all with the hope towards a cure, a new treatment for our common benefit !