Springtime is right around the corner, which means Biomedical Research Awareness Day is as well. And it’s not too late to
sign up
. We hope all of you will urge your institutions to take part. We’ve included the key details below.
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Speaking of BRAD, we’re pleased to inform you that the popular program was featured in the January edition of Laboratory Animal Science Professional magazine, which is published by AALAS. We’re certain that many of you are subscribers and hope you spotted it.
Meanwhile, the latest program launched through the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach continues to pick up steam. The
Lab Rat Chat
podcast has been downloaded hundreds of times in the past week alone. We’re hoping you can help us expand the reach of this program even further. More details below.
Finally, it’s clear the coronavirus outbreak will be a major news story for several weeks or even months. We hope the illness remains somewhat controlled and that it does not impact you, your family or your facility significantly. That being said, the disease serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of animal studies. We recently
published an opinion piece highlighting the role of animal research
in developing a safe and effective vaccine. We hope you will join us in having these important discussions to make sure Americans take note of this important lesson during this time of concern.
Until next time...in support of science, progress and compassion,
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This Month’s Advocacy Highlight: Stanford University
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We’re pleased this month’s advocacy highlight reflects a growing trend: an expansion of online resources to help the public understand why and how animals take part in the health research process.
One organization that has
launched such a
website is Stanford University
. In addition to explaining why animal studies are critical, Stanford’s site gives us an inside view of their animal facilities, complete with photos and information about animal enrichment. The website highlights the many facts and also the myths surrounding animal research. It provides extensive information about the various levels of oversight that exist to protect animals that take part in medical progress. Most importantly, the site includes detailed information about significant advancements that have taken place through studies in animals.
We encourage all of our readers to visit
Stanford’s website
. And if your organization is thinking about developing a similar online resource, feel free to contact us. AMP has helped several institutions plan their own websites about animal research and we’ve also had firsthand experience setting them up ourselves.
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Sign Up for Biomedical Research Awareness Day 2020
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Biomedical Research Awareness Day 2020 is only 44 days away. But that does not mean it’s too late to take part. After all, BRAD was essentially developed to be an “outreach program in a box.” You can get more
information and sign up at the BRAD website
. With the rapid growth of BRAD, this year AMP implemented a $25 registration fee to offset materials and shipping costs. Scholarships are available for smaller organizations or individuals who lack funds. More information can be
found at the BRAD website.
And don’t forget, we have lots of additional materials, including BRAD SWAG at the
BRAD Store
. This year, the store is stocked with t-shirts, water bottles, tote bags and banners that can be signed by booth visitors to show their support for the unsung heroes of biomedical research: the animals.
Visit the store now,
while supplies last.
We would also like to thank the newest BRAD partner:
The Academy of Surgical Research
. These events would not be possible without our amazing and generous partners and sponsors. The other BRAD partners and sponsors are:
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Join Us for the BRAD Lunch and Learn Series
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BRAD has joined up with one of our partners, Tecniplast, to host a series of lunch and learn sessions around the country. The first will be held at Emory University. It’s open to anyone in the area who might be interested in attending. The speakers are Dr. Melissa Shyan-Norwalt, Ph.D., CAAB, of the University of Cincinnati and Jon Ledford, MS, LATG of Techniplast. They will be speaking about the behavioral and environmental enrichment of laboratory animals and the use of digital technology to maximize efficiency and improve animal welfare. Lunch will be provided.
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This year we’re specifically encouraging brain and behavior researchers to join BRAD celebrations throughout the country. We’ve partnered with
The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
to develop specially-tailored neuroscience materials to educate the public. Plus we’ll have “brain-themed” giveaways.
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Help Us Spread the Word about Lab Rat Chat
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We hope many of you have had time to listen to an episode or two of
Lab Rat Chat
, a new podcast supported by the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach. Lab Rat Chat seeks to remove the mystery surrounding animal studies by examining its importance and applicability to both veterinary and human medicine. It can be found on all the leading podcast outlets:
Here’s where we could really use your help.
We want Apple to make Lab Rat Chat a “New and Noteworthy” podcast on Apple Podcasts, which will bring even more listeners. You can help us do this by listening and posting a review of the show.
Here’s a link to the show’s page.
Reviews can be added within iTunes or the Apple Podcast app. If we can get enough comments, the podcast will receive this extra and important attention from Apple.
Please help us get the word out about Lab Rat Chat.
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A Curious Science Writer Explains How Mice May Help Us Improve Our Ability to Heal
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Another Curious Science Writer has shared the results of their research and writing efforts. Recently, a story by author Chieh Hsu
was published on the cSw website
. It explains why researchers are studying African spiny mice, which have the amazing ability to heal after suffering an injury in the wild. Chieh spoke with Dr. Ashley W. Seifert, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, who hopes to use the lessons learned from these animals to generate new therapies that improve human wound recovery.
We encourage you to read
Chieh’s story
and share it on your own social media networks.
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Reminder: Registration Now Open for Curious Science Writers 2020
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Do you know a high school student who is energized by science? If so, the Curious Science Writers 2020 program is now accepting applications. The weeklong boot camp, where students learn how to research, write and edit science, will take place the week of July 13th on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Volunteers Still Needed for USA Science & Engineering Festival
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AMP and the AALAS Foundation are still looking for volunteers for the
USA Science & Engineering Festival
. The event will take place between April 24th and 26th in Washington, DC. Our organizations are teaming up to host a booth. We’ve set up an
online sign-up sheet
for those who are in the region and available to help.
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Call for Submissions: The Lasker Foundation Student Essay Contest
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The Lasker Foundation is now receiving submissions for its global student essay contest. The program is open to all aspiring bioscience and health communicators. This includes medical students, biomedical and public health students, graduate students and post-docs.
The winner will receive $10,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to attend the 2020 Lasker Awards on September 25th. Entries are due March 31. Additional details and submission guidelines
can be found here.
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This Month’s Come See Our World Highlight: Beignet the Rhesus Macaque
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The Come See Our World website doesn’t just provide accurate images of animals involved in biomedical research. We have videos too! Which brings us to this month’s highlight:
Meet Beignet, a male Rhesus Macaque.
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Animal trainers have used positive reinforcement so that research animals like Beignet, cooperate in essential studies. Here we see Beignet being rewarded as he voluntarily gets into a chair and then closes the door. These chairs are important to keep the animal safe and comfortable while also ensuring safety for the people working with the animals.
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Do you have videos or photos
you would like to submit for the site?
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Current Trends in Activism
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Here’s this month’s brief update on significant activities in and around the animal rights movement:
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Spring Green Research Supporters and Activists Hold Dueling Workshops
The debate over animal studies continues to heat up in the community of Spring Green, Wisconsin.
Next
month, voters there will be asked to decide whether breeding dogs and cats for research should be deemed a public nuisance. This past weekend, the animal rights
group that penned the local ordinance, Dane4Dogs, held an informational session where a representative from an organs-on-a-chip company had been scheduled to speak. According to reports, that representative had second thoughts, resulting in an online presentation on non-animal alternatives from another speaker.
Approximately 50 to 60 people attended the event. However, it is impossible to know how many attendees are also local residents who will have a chance to vote on the measure. In the meantime, research advocates have held a series of events to better educate residents about the role of animals in medical progress.
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PETA’s Coronavirus Campaign Criticized
PETA is
facing accusations
that it is exploiting the coronavirus outbreak and misleading the public. The animal rights group received significant criticism for posting the following on Twitter: “Carnivorous is an anagram of coronavirus. Coincidence? We think NOT!” That post also linked to a PETA-authored article titled “Scientists have a hunch that contact with live animals or their dead flesh may be the source of the deadly virus.”
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PETA is also seeking to fundraise off the outbreak by selling medical face masks branded with the phrase “meat markets breed killer diseases.” However, the group says the masks are currently held up by their supplier in China with no projected arrival date. Meanwhile, another animal rights group known for its controversial tactics and statements - Direct Action Everywhere - recently posted a video on YouTube urging viewers to go vegan to prevent further disease outbreaks.
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Research Opponents Attend NIH Workshop on Nonhuman Primate Studies
PETA was in attendance for an NIH-hosted workshop on current and future studies in nonhuman primates. The meeting was covered in a recent Science news story and featured comments from Alice Ra’anan, director of government relations and science policy at the American Physiological Society. Alice also serves on the board of AMP. The full story
can be found here.
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If you or your organization are current supporters of AMP and you wish to receive weekly updates on new activist trends and actions, we are now offering our security/communications-focused newsletter “AMPNews” on a weekly basis. In addition to sharing news developments related to the animal rights movement and efforts to protect and defend research in animals, AMPNews will also highlight upcoming events and actions that might impact our readers. In order to subscribe to AMPNews, simply fill out
this brief online form.
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Events Calendar/Advocacy Opportunities
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March 18
AALAS Webinar: Gut Microbiota: Variability and Translatability in Rodent Models
March 20
SCAW IACUC Training Workshop
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 14 - 16
North Carolina Workshop in Laboratory Animal Medicine
Raleigh, North Carolina
April 15 - 17
Workshop on Stereotaxic Surgery in the Laboratory Mouse
Bar Harbor ME
April 20 - 24
Workshop on Colony Management & Biomethods
Bar Harbor, Maine
April 26 - May 1
Principles and Techniques for Improving Preclinical Translation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Bar Harbor, Maine
April 29 – May 1
Three I’s: Research Integrity & Biosecurity™ — Promoting Research, Integrity and Compliance by Providing Training in the Ethical and Responsible Conduct of Research Conference
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
April 16
2020 Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD)
Registration is open!
April 25-26
USA Science and Engineering Festival
Washington, DC
May 6
2020 Portland Clinical Research Professional Conference
Portland, Oregon
May 25 - 28
Making and Genetically Manipulating Mouse Embryos
Bar Harbor, Maine
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If you have an event that you want to share with the Americans for Medical Progress community,
send it to us
for possible inclusion in a future newsletter
.
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