Physicians and the animal-rights movement

Article Abstract:

It would be a mistake for physicians to regard the animal rights movement as a fringe movement that is unlikely to have any substantial political influence. The animal rights movement poses a serious threat to medical research, and, as such, has the potential for seriously harming human welfare. Physicians should take an active role in educating patients about the necessity of animal studies in medical research. Physicians should also take steps to point out the innuendoes and outright lies being propagated by the animal rights movement. The animal rights movement is estimated to have at least $50 million to spend on its efforts to eliminate animal research. Some of this money is raised by presenting a moderate stance, focusing on concerns of good conditions for laboratory animals and proper methods for obtaining animals for research. The money is spent, however, by people who have stated that the killing animals in the course of medical research is no different than killing millions of Jews in Nazi concentration camps. The public has been frightened by images of beloved pets being snatched from the streets and being sold to laboratories; they must be informed of the careful regulations to prevent even the accidental sale of a pet from a pound to a lab. Thirteen states have been cowed into passing laws forbidding the sale of pound animals to laboratories already; ironically, the pounds themselves must kill as many as 20 million cats and dogs per year which go unclaimed. Physicians must let their patients know that the so-called ''alternatives'' to animal research cited by the animal rights groups are simply not practical. Medical scientists use animals because it is necessary, not because they find it personally advantageous. The elimination of animal research would simply halt all advances in some areas of medicine. For some animal rights activists, this is an acceptable cost. For physicians dedicated to the reduction of human suffering, the elimination of animal research cannot be accepted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Political aspects, Medical research, Animal experimentation, Animal rights movement, editorial

---

Should physicians prescribe religious activities?

Article Abstract:

It may be inappropriate for doctors to encourage their patients to become involved in religious activities. Several studies have claimed that religious people have better health outcomes than non-religious people. However, some of these studies only assessed church attendance. Others surveyed hospital patients with chronic diseases. These studies may not provide proof that religion can improve people's health. Religion is a very private matter for most people and many may not want religion prescribed for its alleged therapeutic value.

Health aspects, Religion

---

Placing Religion and Spirituality in End-of-Life Care

Article Abstract:

The hospice movement introduced the concept of religion and spirituality into end-of-life care. The original definition of spirituality as a relationship with God has been replaced by a definition of spirituality as the personal and psychological search for meaning. This allows hospice principles to be applied within the context of any religion.

Terminal care, Religious aspects

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Alcohol intake and the risk of lung cancer: influence of type of alcoholic beverage
• Abstracts: Association of race and other potential risk factors with novertebral fractures in community-dwelling elderly women
• Abstracts: Using the biographical approach. Discharging patients with burn injuries. Eye contact
• Abstracts: Genetic and environmental influences on serum lipid levels in twins. Genetic and environmental factors in age-related nuclear cataracts in monozygotic and dizygotic twins
• Abstracts: Prevention of cisplatin neurotoxicity with an acth(4-9) analogue in patients with ovarian cancer. Long-term treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension with aerosolized iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.