Speaking of Research

Speaking of Research (SR) is a US-based group which actively supports the use of animals in biomedical research. It was founded in March, 2008 by Tom Holder [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS184569+28-Mar-2008+PRN20080328 Reuters: Speaking of Research - Students Stand up for Animal Testing] ] , a key member of the Pro-Test committee, who moved to the US for the purpose of setting up such a group [ [http://speakingofresearch.com/about/founder-biography/ Speaking of Research Website - Founder Biography] ] . Holder had previously been spokesman for Pro-Test, as well as acting as emcee for their three demonstrations.

Speaking of Research state their aims are to "change the tide of the controversial animal rights debate by encouraging students and scientists to speak out in favor of the lifesaving research developed with animals" [ [http://speakingofresearch.com/about/ Speaking of Research Website - About] ] . Their launch comes during a period of increased direct action in the US [http://www.tjols.com/article-616.html Marshall, C. (2008) Risky Business. The Journal of Life Sciences] . Since 2007, a number of researchers from the University of California system have had their homes attacked by animal rights activists [ [http://www.newsweek.com/id/116644 Newsweek: Targeting Researchers] ] , including one UCSC researcher whose residence was invaded by six masked activists on February 24th, 2008 [ [http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i26/26a00104.htm Chronicle: Animal Researchers' Homes Are Attacked] ] . According to the journal Science, the group also aims to " [work] "with public schools to counter information from groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals" [ [http://speakingofresearch.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/tomsciencejuly2008.pdf: Science Magazine - Newsmakers Section] ] .

Speaking of Research is jointly supported by both Pro-Test in the UK, and Americans for Medical Progress in the US.

During 'World Week for Animals in Laboratories' Holder traveled to West Coast universities including, UCLA, Berkeley, Oregon Health & Sciences University and the University of Washington [ [http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i32/32a00102.htm Chronicle: Protesters Fail to Slow Animal Research] ] [ [http://speakingofresearch.com/2008/04/28/speaking-to-the-west-coast-a-review/ Speaking of Research: Speaking to the West Coast: A Review] ]

ee also

*Animal Research
*Pro-Test

Notes

References

* [http://www.speakingofresearch.org/ Speaking of Research Website]
* [http://www.pro-test.org.uk/ Pro-Test Website]
* [http://www.amprogress.org/ Americans for Medical Progress Website]