Posted by Cat under blog's category : Communications & media

The new Trailblazing scheme from the Royal Society sheds light on some of the most iconic scientific discoveries of all time, and allows users to access digitised versions of these iconic scientific papers.

The Royal Society, the UK academy of science, has announced a year of activity in celebration of its 350th anniversary. The new resource lets users freely access some of the world's oldest scientific papers online.

The interactive timeline features some of the earliest examples of research on animals which led to lifesaving treatments that we rely on in modern medicine. One of the earliest original papers featured is Robert Boyle's early experiment with blood transfusion from one dog to another.

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Posted by under blog's category : Communications & media

Musical star Julie Andrews has announced she will return to the London stage after more than 30 years. Andrews has also been supporting researchers who are pioneering a technique to repair damaged vocal cords. The scientists are working with mice to test a new material which offers hope to patients such as Andrews who have lost their voice because of surgery or disease.

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Posted by Cat under blog's category : Antivivisection & extremism

We aren't sure if it's because it was Friday the 13th but unlucky Flaming Lips fans were faced with an unpleasant display at a gig in Portsmouth last week.

The majority of the public stand in support of animal research and oppose animal rights extremism. Despite that fact, it seems that in some artistic circles the view that it's OK to be violent towards researchers who use animals is still fashionable.

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Posted by Zebedee under blog's category : Antivivisection & extremism

The recent infiltration of a UK safety testing facility by an antivivisectionist raises many questions. According to a report in The Sunday Times, animals are being used to test ‘botox’ for cosmetic purposes, the law is being flouted and animal welfare practices are poor. But can these allegations be substantiated?

UAR does not condone bad practice in animal research, and the video footage certainly does not give a good impression. However, no-one should accept trial by media sensationalism. Nor can we accept the word of antivivisectionist groups – who are far from impartial. The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) has a long history of making claims following infiltrations which do not stand up to scrutiny. The Home Office will need to investigate thoroughly these claims and the company concerned must be given the opportunity to put their case. If animal welfare has been compromised or the law has been broken, then the company will face the consequences.

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