From the Assistant Secretary for Health

Abstract

The Assistant Secretary for Health asserts that love for animals and lack of public understanding of the incalculable benefits to people and animals of research involving animals has led to questions concerning the ethical and practical rationale for animal research. He enumerates scientific gains attributed to animal research and notes governmental and professional standards issued to protect laboratory animals. Chiding those in the medical and scientific communities who have avoided confronting animal rights activists seeking to abolish animal research, he urges biomedical scientists to take an active role in informing the public, the media, and government officials of the merits of such research. (KIE abstract)