17
Feb2009

A Conversation with Temple Grandin

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17 Feb
Comments: 3

Posted by Catherine Rogers, marketing coordinator

When it comes to empathy, Temple Grandin knows how to walk in the shoes of another being. And that’s especially true if that other being doesn’t have shoes at all, but hooves, paws, or claws.

Dr. Grandin is one of the world’s leading animal scientists, known for her sensitivity to the details that affect animals’ stability and well-being. The roots of her experience with animals extend from early childhood into Dr. Grandin’s adult life as a professor, author, inventor, and animal-handling expert.

You can begin to see why she was PRIM&R’s top choice to deliver the Henry Spira [...] Read more

10
Feb2009

Comments on updating the Guide

10 Feb
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Posted by Guest Blogger Steven Niemi, director of the Center for Comparative Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and PRIM&R Board Member

To the Select Committee Appointed to Update the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals:

I am writing to urge emphasis on performance standards over engineering standards in the next edition of the Guide, for the reasons provided below. For the purpose of this commentary, an engineering standard is any guideline or directive that includes a measurable unit (expressed as a number or range of numbers for time, space, mass, velocity, etc.) versus a performance standard that involves a desired outcome without quantified parameters.
<[...] Read more

5
Feb2009

In January’s Newsletter…

5 Feb
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The most recent issue of the PRIM&R Newsletter (members only) was distributed on Friday, January 30.

In addition to our regular features, such as Recent Headlines, Government and Legal News, and Public Policy (to name a few), this issue included…

3
Feb2009

Lessons from the headlines

3 Feb
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Guest blog by Brad Noren, research administrator at Oregon Health & Science University

The story of Bernard Madoff’s alleged Ponzi scheme is already falling off the front pages. Our fast-paced society has moved on to the next headline of the moment. But before we forget entirely, it should be noted that there are lessons (or reminders) that relate to our efforts toward the regulation of research that utilizes human and animal subjects.

First, the case reminds us that trust can be misplaced. A colleague of mine had a sign on his cubicle that said, “Trust in God. Monitor everyone else.”

Ronald Cass, dean emeritus of Boston University School of Law, pointed [...] Read more

30
Jan2009

Comments on OHRP Draft Guidance

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30 Jan
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OHRP recently invited public comment on a draft guidance document entitled, "Guidance on Important Considerations for When Participation of Human Subjects in Research is Discontinued.'' This draft guidance is intended to explain how to interpret the terms “participation” and “discontinuation of participation” in research. The guidance would also clarify that investigators may continue to analyze already collected individually identifiable private information about a subject even when the subject's participation has been discontinued, and that research may continue to involve human subjects even when the participation of all subjects has been completed or discontinued.PRIM&R's Public Policy Committee developed comments that request further clarification about [...] Read more

28
Jan2009

Witnessing History

28 Jan
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PRIM&R is excited to welcome a new addition to our team—Joanna Cardinal, our membership manager.

Before coming to PRIM&R earlier this month, I spent five years living in Washington, DC, and I was lucky enough to return for the presidential inauguration last week.
What struck me most wasn’t the historic moment, nor was it the large crowds. It was the sense of community that everyone shared. I’m part [...] Read more