PRIM&R’s 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER18) was very inspiring. It provided me an opportunity to be immersed in an interesting learning opportunity, wherein I noted a common theme of this conference was to highlight the changes in the revised Common Rule and its practical implementation. Read more
Since the National Archives in Washington were founded they have solved historical mysteries, provided key information, and unlocked a great deal of forgotten knowledge. The power of records and record keeping is influential at all levels of human existence, but also may be harmful to the least empowered individuals in society (such as refugees or the elderly). At PRIM&R's AER Conference, presenters offered insights into essential documentation and stressed the importance of good record keeping and data management for IRBs. Read more
There’s a growing trend in Social, Behavioral, and Education Research (SBER)–machine learning–in which investigators often request to obtain, through direct interaction and intervention, various sets of data on human subjects, including their physiological (i.e., data obtained from either invasive or non-invasive means) and/or biometric data (e.g., audio/visual recordings). The research as originally conceived may or may not have been considered human subjects research, but its ultimate purpose is to teach machines how to think, draw conclusions, and process information in much the same way humans do. Read more
During the 2019 IACUC Conference, I attended a discussion on engaging the public in conversations about the use of animals in research. In reflecting on this session, I felt both worry and hope. My gut tells me that when regulatory agencies ask for input on items of importance to research, an overwhelming number of responses are from detractors of animal research in support of their personal agenda, while those of us in the research world remain silent, maybe finding comfort in the thought that “someone else will reply”. We have to start speaking openly and honestly about what we do.We have to be strong advocates and build bridges for communicating with the public so that a new generation continues to carry the torch in support of responsible animal research into the future. Read more
Those in the field of laboratory animal medicine come to this job with love for animals, but a special kind of love—one that understands that we will be separated, but agrees to love anyway. We give these research animals the best we can give; so they play and are healthy and can serve science and society. Because we understand that a rescued pet is a healthy old dog today thanks to the vaccines and heartworm medication developed using lab animals. We understand that my mother-in-law is healthy today thanks to the surgery, chemo, and radiation developed using lab animals. And we dream that someday, hopefully sooner than later, cancer and diabetes and heart disease will all be diseases of the past, thanks to lab animals. Read more
