Animal Research Advances Science and Improves Health
For immediate release.
ANIMAL RESEARCH ADVANCES SCIENCE AND IMPROVES HEALTH
Statement from SfN President Michael E. Goldberg
San Diego—Society for Neuroscience (SfN) President Michael E. Goldberg, MD, issued the following statement regarding SfN’s support of humane, responsible use of animals in research. The statement comes in the wake of recent protests at Neuroscience 2010, as well as sustained harassment and intimidation by animal rights activists over the last several years:
“SfN actively supports the humane and responsible use of animals for the purposes of advancing science and improving health. Animal research will be essential to the next century’s medical progress, just as it has been for the last century. And it is irreplaceable for understanding and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases that affect more than 100 million Americans.
“Here in San Diego, more than 30,000 scientists are discussing thousands of discoveries, including those offering hope for conditions like depression, Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction, and new treatment options like novel prosthetic devices for returning soldiers who have lost limbs or function. Animal models are essential to this progress and neuroscientists are dedicated to the sensitive, appropriate, and humane use of animals.
SfN and our members believe strongly in the right to peaceful expression of diverse opinions. However, for years, animal rights extremists have subjected many researchers to sustained campaigns of anonymous threats, misinformation, and violence far beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse and debate. Some of this activity has been recognized by the federal government as domestic terrorism, through federal legislation signed into law in 2006. We urge that animal rights activists who violate local or federal laws be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
More information on animals in research can be found at www.sfn.org/animals and through the National Association for Biomedical Research www.nabr.org, an SfN partner.
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The Society for Neuroscience is an organization of more than 40,000 basic scientists and clinicians who study the brain and nervous system. SfN’s annual meeting, Neuroscience 2010, is the world’s largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.
