NYU: Stop Using Lab Mice in Research
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: David Ron, MD of NYU School of Medicine's Smilow Research Center
Human lives and buildings weren't the only things lost in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. It also killed hundreds of animals, including thousands of lab mice at the NYU School of Medicine.
Years of work was lost in the storm when the NYU facilities lost power. Special enzymes, antibodies, and DNA strands that required specific temperatures for storage are now useless. But perhaps the largest blow came from the thousands of genetically modified lab mice who died in the havoc.
Many research programs rely on animal testing, and to keep results consistent they stick to the model without questioning it. However, NYU now has the opportunity to recreate its program without sentencing mice to these inhumane testing regimes.
Tell NYU's Smilow Research Center to revise research methods by removing animal testing!
Dear Dr. David Ron,
I understand that NYU's Smilow Research Center suffered a great loss in research during Sandy. The setback caused by losing such essential data must be a huge concern for researchers. However, I hope NYU researchers might use this period of time to consider alternative ways of replacing what was lost through the deaths of thousands of modified mice.
[Your comments here]Surely there are alternative means to study and collect data without repeating the same methods used to hurt mice like the ones lost to the storm. I ask that you look into creating an animal-free research facility as time progresses.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
