Debate on the Use of Dogs in Medical Research Heats Up in Michigan
In Michigan, discussions are underway about a potential legislative move to prohibit certain medical research practices involving dogs. A state House committee initiated hearings on Thursday to examine the proposed ban.
The legislation seeks to curb experimentation that might inflict “pain or distress” on dogs, with particular focus on research activities at Wayne State University related to hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.
Ryan Merkley, representing the Washington D.C.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, highlighted before the House Regulatory Reform Committee that dog experimentation in research settings is increasingly uncommon. He stated, “You can see the trend and you can also clearly see that human health research can be done without causing dogs to suffer.”
Echoing this sentiment, former research veterinarian Sally Christopher criticized the use of live dogs for scientific experimentation, labeling it as outdated and inhumane. She remarked, “The pain and suffering by dogs at Wayne State is plain to see in the university’s own records. What’s equally concerning is the fruitless nature of these experiments, which have not yielded benefits for human patients.”
On the opposing side, Dr. Michael Bradley, a research scientist at Wayne State University, defended the humane management of canine subjects in their experiments focused on congestive heart failure and hypertension. He informed the committee that their work, funded by the National Institutes of Health, contributes to life-saving medical advancements.
“Over the 30-plus-year history of this research at Wayne State, there have been numerous scientific advancements that have been added to the body of knowledge of cardiovascular physiology,” Dr. Bradley explained. “Contrary to recent claims, our research has produced meaningful, peer-reviewed results.”
The bill, championed by Representative Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Township), who leads the regulatory reform committee, enjoys substantial bipartisan backing. However, the committee has not yet cast a vote on the measure.
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