As president of the California Biomedical Research Association, I read with great interest and appreciation the Commentary of July 11, 1994 [E. Garfield, The Scientist, page 13] and its support for the recent consensus statement urging federal funding increases for biomedical research. Equally appealing is the suggestion for developing arguments for research support based upon scientists' own case histories of research experience.
It is not only reduced funding, however, that threatens the future of biomedical research, but also the chilling effect of continued negative public relations, legal and regulatory actions, and physical harassment by the radical animal rights community that deters postdocs from following in the footsteps of senior research faculty. The resulting level of anxiety reduces constructive collegial exchange about research questions and the appropriate use of animal models, which can encourage curiosity and new investigation. The cost and regulatory hurdles associated with the use of animals affect...
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