The Goals and Priorities of Biomedical Research

North Americans are both the creators and the beneficiaries of one of the highest standards of living in the world. This gives us the ability to direct our efforts toward maintaining and improving both our natural environment and our personal lives. It is our bond with animals that makes much of our success in that endeavour possible through medical research, and the knowledge we gain is used not only to improve our own lives, but also to enhance the well-being of animals and the environment.

Medical research has direct effects on:

Our health and the health of the people we love.

Life-saving medical research using animal models has already produced many medical advances which we take for granted. These include a vaccine against polio; insulin for insulin-dependent diabetics; blood pressure medication to prevent heart attack, stroke and kidney failure; hip and joint replacements for those who suffer from arthritis; and coronary bypass surgery, to name just a few examples.

Without continued medical research, we will not be able to develop new surgical techniques; cure diabetes, cystic fibrosis, AIDS or cancer; conquer heart disease, and test products and medications which save lives.

The health of our pets.

Pets promote the health and happiness of millions of people. While pet owners are leading longer, healthier lives, so are our pets. Much research still needs to be done to conquer the diseases that prematurely claim the lives of our  beloved pets. Already, advances in research have made possible vaccines which protect them against feline leukemia, canine parvovirus, rabies and distemper.

Medication is readily available to prevent canine heartworm and to treat roundworm and hookworm infection. Treatment is available for pets with hip and joint problems, vitamin deficiencies, cancer and heart diseases -- all thanks to research in medicine.

The well-being of animals in zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks.

Zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks are valuable community resources. Medical research using animals is needed to learn how to improve the physical facilities of the animals to ensure the health, behavioral integrity and longevity of captive species. Many of these facilities also need medical research to achieve success in breeding techniques, such as embryo transfer techniques, to help endangered species reproduce.

The health and well-being of farm animals.

Farm animals provide us with nourishment and we, in turn, have a special obligation to care for their health and environment. Medical research has improved the health of farm animals with vaccines against such diseases as anthrax, blue tongue in sheep, hog cholera and Newcastle disease in poultry, and medications to treat their diseases.

The well-being of wildlife and the environment.

Medical research plays a vital role in studies which are designed to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and manage wild populations of animals. For example, certain wild species of fish and birds, serve as sensitive indicators of environmental contamination.

 

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Medical Research Priorities Understanding of basic biological processes. Understanding of disease mechanisms for the treatment and prevention of animal disease. Knowledge of the factors involved in human and animal well-being and their relationships to human and animal health. Improved food safety through the control of both disease agents and contaminants in food. Preservation of endangered species through captive breeding and development of new reproductive techniques for endangered species in the wild. Knowledge of the impact of environmental change on human and animal populations.