Animal rights: USA: one step forward..
Article Abstract:
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released for public comment a new set of rules for the laboratory care of primates, cats, and dogs. The original proposal of the USDA included a strict set of cage measurements with which laboratory animal housing would have to comply. However, the White House has argued that the new requirements would cost $1,750 million and the research community simply could not pay a tab that size. The desires of the White House have apparently won out, since the recently released proposal does not include specific measurements, but only the requirement that the housed animal have sufficient space and opportunity to express behavior natural for that animal. Such vague requirements, says the USDA, virtually eliminate the possibility of effective enforcement. Rather than determining compliance by pulling out a tape measure, inspectors will have to seek the advice of experts on what constitutes sufficient space. It seems likely that the various institutions and laboratories will have their own experts to argue that the housing is adequate. The USDA will consider whatever comments have arrived prior to October 1, 1990 before issuing the final set of rules. However, unlike the regulations for rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs, there will be no 'grandfather clause' for the caging of primates, cats, and dogs. All caging, including that already installed at the time of the rules' issue, will be required to comply. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1990
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AIDS: commission grows angrier
Article Abstract:
The National Commission on AIDS, a congressional advisory panel, concluded during the first week of September 1990 that the criteria for participation in clinical trials were overly rigid and that blacks, women, children and drug users, who comprise a large segment of the infected population, are being excluded. For example, approximately 43 percent of all AIDS cases are in blacks and Hispanics, but they comprise only 23 percent of the clinical trial population. This was the third report to the President by the commission. The commission criticized the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for not expanding their research to include opportunistic infections, which cause death in the majority of AIDS patients. There was also criticism that $428 million was spent by the US AIDS Clinical Trial Program but that most drugs that have been approved for AIDS and AIDS-related infections have been developed outside of the program. The commission also reported that there has been a 37 percent increase in the number of cases of AIDS in rural areas, especially in heterosexual women. This trend is thought to be related to the drug problem, including the use of crack cocaine and trading sex for drugs or money. In response, the NIH said that efforts are being made to increase the participation of minorities in clinical trials and to emphasize research on opportunistic infections. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1990
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New contract with DOE laboratories guarantees academic freedoms
Article Abstract:
A new proposed management contract between the Department of Energy and the University of California will protect academic freedom for the employees of the Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories. These rights have never before been safeguarded, and some scientists have been criticised and silenced for opposing such programs as the Star Wars missile defense system. The proposed five-year contracts will also increase the University's annual management fee from $13 million in 1992 to $30 million.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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