Speaking of Research
Encyclopedia
Speaking of Research is a US-based group which actively supports the use of animals
in biomedical research
. It was founded in March, 2008 by Tom Holder, an "energetic young British activist who played an active role in the Pro-Test
movement at the University of Oxford
," who moved to the US for the purpose of setting up such a group. Holder had previously been spokesman for Pro-Test, as well as acting as emcee for their three demonstrations.
Speaking of Research state their aims are to "change the tide of the controversial animal rights debate by encouraging students and scientists to speak out in favor of the lifesaving research developed with animals." Their launch came during a period of increased direct action
in the US. Since 2007, a number of researchers from the University of California
system have had their homes attacked by animal rights
activists, including one University of California, Santa Cruz
(UCSC) researcher whose residence was invaded by six masked activists on February 24, 2008. According to the journal Science
, the group also aims to "[work] with public schools to counter information from groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
."
Speaking of Research is jointly supported by both Pro-Test in the UK, and Americans for Medical Progress
in the US. In 2009/10, its running costs were approximately $100 and paid by Pro-Test. Its committee is made up primarily of researchers and veterinary technicians, including several members of UCLA Pro-Test such as Dr. David Jentsch and Dr. Dario Ringach – the latter of whom publicly quit using animals in 2006, sending a letter to animals rights groups declaring "you win... please don't bother my family anymore."
During "World Week for Animals in Laboratories (2008)," Holder traveled to West Coast universities including UCLA, Berkeley
, Oregon Health & Sciences University, and the University of Washington
to speak about the role of animals in biomedical research
.
Speaking of Research offered its support to the UCLA Pro-Test movement, which was founded in March 2009, on the UCLA campus, with Holder playing a leadership role on the organizing committee. On 22 April 2009 more than 700 staff, students and Los Angeles residents, led by the neuroscientist
David Jentsch, held a rally to launch the UCLA chapter of Pro-Test, and to stand up to the animal rights activists who had targeted Prof. Jentsch and other scientists in a campaign of harassment and arson
. At the event, Tom Holder announced the launch of the Pro-Test Petition, which aims to give people in the US the "opportunity to show [their] support for the scientists and [their] opposition to the use of threats and violence." This petition, to defend animal research, is similar to The People's Petition
which gained over 20,000 signatures in the United Kingdom. The Pro-Test Petition has accumulated over 10,000 signatures to date, after gaining backing from a number of science organizations including the Society for Neuroscience
. and American Physiological Society
Animal testing
Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments. Worldwide it is estimated that the number of vertebrate animals—from zebrafish to non-human primates—ranges from the tens of millions to more than 100 million...
in biomedical research
Biomedical research
Biomedical research , in general simply known as medical research, is the basic research, applied research, or translational research conducted to aid and support the body of knowledge in the field of medicine...
. It was founded in March, 2008 by Tom Holder, an "energetic young British activist who played an active role in the Pro-Test
Pro-Test
Pro-Test is a British group that promotes and supports animal testing in medical research. It was founded on January 29, 2006 to counter SPEAK, an animal-rights campaign opposing the construction by Oxford University of a biomedical and animal-research facility, which SPEAK believes may include a...
movement at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
," who moved to the US for the purpose of setting up such a group. Holder had previously been spokesman for Pro-Test, as well as acting as emcee for their three demonstrations.
Speaking of Research state their aims are to "change the tide of the controversial animal rights debate by encouraging students and scientists to speak out in favor of the lifesaving research developed with animals." Their launch came during a period of increased direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
in the US. Since 2007, a number of researchers from the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
system have had their homes attacked by animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
activists, including one University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
(UCSC) researcher whose residence was invaded by six masked activists on February 24, 2008. According to the journal Science
Science (journal)
Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
, the group also aims to "[work] with public schools to counter information from groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
."
Speaking of Research is jointly supported by both Pro-Test in the UK, and Americans for Medical Progress
Americans for Medical Progress
Americans for Medical Progress is a charity that aims to protect and advocate for society's investment in medical research. As a specific goal, AMP states that it promotes "public understanding of and support for the appropriate role of animals in biomedical research so that scientists are able to...
in the US. In 2009/10, its running costs were approximately $100 and paid by Pro-Test. Its committee is made up primarily of researchers and veterinary technicians, including several members of UCLA Pro-Test such as Dr. David Jentsch and Dr. Dario Ringach – the latter of whom publicly quit using animals in 2006, sending a letter to animals rights groups declaring "you win... please don't bother my family anymore."
During "World Week for Animals in Laboratories (2008)," Holder traveled to West Coast universities including UCLA, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, Oregon Health & Sciences University, and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
to speak about the role of animals in biomedical research
Biomedical research
Biomedical research , in general simply known as medical research, is the basic research, applied research, or translational research conducted to aid and support the body of knowledge in the field of medicine...
.
Speaking of Research offered its support to the UCLA Pro-Test movement, which was founded in March 2009, on the UCLA campus, with Holder playing a leadership role on the organizing committee. On 22 April 2009 more than 700 staff, students and Los Angeles residents, led by the neuroscientist
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
David Jentsch, held a rally to launch the UCLA chapter of Pro-Test, and to stand up to the animal rights activists who had targeted Prof. Jentsch and other scientists in a campaign of harassment and arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
. At the event, Tom Holder announced the launch of the Pro-Test Petition, which aims to give people in the US the "opportunity to show [their] support for the scientists and [their] opposition to the use of threats and violence." This petition, to defend animal research, is similar to The People's Petition
The People's Petition
The People's Petition was an online campaign to express support for medical experimentation using animals in the United Kingdom. Within a year of launch the number of signatures exceeded 21,850 and included Tony Blair, the then-serving Prime Minister....
which gained over 20,000 signatures in the United Kingdom. The Pro-Test Petition has accumulated over 10,000 signatures to date, after gaining backing from a number of science organizations including the Society for Neuroscience
Society for Neuroscience
The Society for Neuroscience is a professional society, headquartered in Washington, D.C., for basic scientists and physicians around the world whose research is focused on the study of the brain and nervous system.-History:...
. and American Physiological Society
American Physiological Society
The American Physiological Society was founded in 1887 with 28 members. Of them, 21 were graduates of medical schools, but only 12 had studied in schools that had a professor of physiology. Today, the APS has 10,500 members, most of whom hold doctoral degrees in medicine, physiology or other...