Animal Research Resources from the American Physiological Society : On Becoming a Domestic and Laboratory Goddess

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The Egyptian goddess Isis was celebrated as the ideal wife and mother. The blogger known as Dr. Isis has some fancy-sounding degrees and is a physiologist at a major research university working on some terribly impressive stuff. She blogs about balancing her research career with the demands of raising small children, how to succeed as a woman in academia, and anything else she finds interesting. Also, she blogs about shoes. In fact, she blogs a lot about shoes.

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Animal Research Resources from the American Physiological Society

Category: Animals in Research
Posted on: November 13, 2009 5:15 PM, by Isis the Scientist

According to the APS:

We have a new FAQ on animal research--great for education & outreach efforts. Download the PDF, order hard copies, or donate for outreach efforts here.

Check it out.

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Comments

APS is doing very useful work... cool!

Posted by: Dario Ringach | November 13, 2009 9:19 PM

Do they still use the Draize test?

Posted by: Mike K. | November 13, 2009 10:36 PM

Mike the Draize eye test is used far less than it used to be, mainly because ex vivo tests (they use eye tissue from chickens and cattle slaughtered for food) have been introduced over the past couple of decade that can identify the more serious irritants so that they don't get as far as the in vivo Draize test. The Draize eye test is also now a lot milder than it was in the past due to changes in how it is performed and the fat that the most serious irritants are usually caught by the ex vivo tests. It is likely that further refinement and evaluation of the ex vivo methods will lead to them replacing the Draize eye test completely in the next few years.

The Draize skin corrosivity and skin irritation tests have been replaced by in vitro tests (including the EpiDerm and EpiSkin methods) in the EU, though I'm not sure if they have been officially approved in the US yet.

Posted by: Paul | November 14, 2009 7:11 AM

Paul thanks for that update. I remember back in the early 90's when I did some research on animal testing that the Draize test seemed to be particularly inhumane. It looks like it has definitely changed for the better.

I am what you would call "on the fence" regarding animal testing. Part of me understands that it is in some capacity necessary. The other part of me is concerned for the safety and well being of the animals that are tested on. I looked at the download and read the part about the well-being of animals and how they are regulated, etc. It is hard to see pictures of animals with wires sticking out of their heads and understand how they are not in pain. Have the researchers basically "shut down" the part of the brain that feels pain?

Posted by: Mike K | November 15, 2009 11:31 PM

Mike: There are no pain receptors or sensory receptors of any kind in the brain, so once something is in the brain, the animal isn't going to feel it being there. Same for humans, which is why they can keep people awake and responding during invasive brain surgery so they can make sure they don't hit areas necessary for function. Topical anesthesia is all that's needed in that case, and in all of the animal surgeries I have heard of, topical anesthesia is provided while the animal is awake and responding to prevent pain.

Posted by: Scicurious | November 16, 2009 10:52 AM