Tag: Animal research

  • A word about animal research and animal rights

    Animal research is a controversial topic in some circles. As some of you may know already, a UCLA group has recently banded together to counter-protest the fear-mongering tactics used by animal rights activists. Before UCLA Pro-Test became a reality, researchers on campus would hide away when on campus demonstration came our way. No more. Dr.…

  • Alternatives to animal testing for drug safety come to the U.S.

    Here at A3 we’re not new to the animal research debate but we don’t feel as if we’re on the front lines either, especially after working along side researchers who get death threats, dangerous mailings, and Molotov cocktails thrown at their cars (see here for other article on animal research). Still, I know that my…

  • Obesity, drug addiction, and dopamine

    Eating junk-food can be addictive, and apparently, it causes brain changes that look eerily similar to drug addiction. That’s the message not only from the rapidly fattening waistlines of Americans everywhere, but also from the Johnson and Kenny labs at the Scripps Institute. Food and drug addiction The idea that obesity is caused by a…

  • Like advancements in medical care and science? Then support animal research

    There was a Pro-Test for Science rally on the UCLA Campus today.  The goal of the rally was to spread awareness about the utility of animal-research and to help combat extremists and prove to the community and world that the ethical use of animals for biomedical research is absolutely vital to the progress and success…

  • Another short word on animal research – Civility, debate, and education

    As many of you know, I’m in support of animal research as long as it’s conducted ethically and with concern for the animals’ well-being. That being said, it would be an understatement to announce that there are others who disagree. All well and good as long as people are civilized. I’ve already written about this…

  • Social anxiety and drugs: A lesson about addiction from monkeys.

    If you ever doubted the idea that monkeys are über similar to humans, read this: A number of researchers at Wake Forest University school of Medicine looked at the social organization in 4 groups of monkeys. They then took either a dominant or subordinate monkey and put it in a cage next to a group…

  • Drug use memories and relapse: Can medication provide addiction help?

    About a year ago, while sitting in a lecture on learning and memory, the idea that certain drugs can affect the emotional responses to memory long after the memory itself has been formed came up. As someone interested in addiction research, the implication for treatment immediately came up in my head: Could we reduce the…

  • About addiction: Animal research, food addiction, policy, and cocaine addiction

    Here are this weeks gems when it comes to learning about addiction. As usual, if you click this title’s post, you’ll get a list of our related post as a bonus! Adventures in Ethics and Science – A nice post about the current state of the animal-rights dialog Addiction Inbox – Mood Foods (and their…