Challenges to Biomedical Research Interpret personal beliefs about biomedical research
Interpret personal beliefs about biomedical research. Essential Questions: What are your Beliefs about biomedical research? What is the role of animals in society? Will the use of transgenic animals provides advances to BM research? Will cloning advance BM research? If so, what type of cloning should be is permitted?
Your thoughts on BM Research…
FACT vs. Opinion Fact: Opinion: information & ideas that can be supported by data & can be proven Opinion: a belief not based on certainty or fact
What are animals used for in our society?
Animals Have played an important role in the lives of humans, providing basic needs: Food Clothing Transportation Labor Companionship
Animals in Research Scientists use animals in research to learn more about the health problems that affect humans. They have complex organ systems similar to humans More than 90% of the animals used in research are rodents (mice and rats)
Animal Rights organizations PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment. Politically active. ALF (Animal Liberation Front): aggressive organization that has been used terrorism (set fires in research facilities, stole lab animals, etc. ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): long range objective is to end animal research. They have worked with scientists to improve the welfare of research animals and have helped to develop non animal methods.
Regulations and organizations supporting animal welfare in BM Research Government regulations and bodies: AWA (American Welfare Act) USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) AAALAC (American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) Sets standards that exceed those of the USDA and AWA requirements
Animal welfare is considered & alternatives are pursued first: