Interview with Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments [frame]

Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments [frame]

SCIENCE

What do you investigate? What is at the heart of your research?

FRAME's ultimate aim is the elimination of the need to use laboratory animals in any kind of medical or scientific procedures. We research alternatives to animal-based tests.

Do you have a link to a site where we can see something about you, or the center where you work?

www.frame.org.uk

What is your educational background? What work experience did you have before this?

Honours degree - though not in a relevant subject! I'm an ex-journalist with many years experience in newspapers and publicity.

Did you keep your nose to the grindstone in school?

Mostly!

What kind of technology are you using for your research right now?

The FRAME Alternatives Laboratory uses the latest equipment and works with tissue samples from human volunteers from the local hospital.

What types of experiments do you conduct? How are the conclusions documented?

The lab is investigating various disease connected to type 2 diabetes and various liver problems. Findings are published in scientific journals or presented at conferences.

If you conclude your investigation successfully, what practical application would it have in everyday life?

Our work will bring about a reduction in the number of animals used in laboratories in the UK and overseas. Eventually we hope to replace all animal experiments with humane methods.

What is a "eureka" moment? What is it like to experience one?

Personally (because I'm publicising the organisation, not in the lab) it's when I realise that I've reached a new audience or promoted or work to a new area. It's good to know I've managed to inform people.

Should there be more public financing for scientific investigation?

Absolutely. And there should definitely be more money allocated to finding animal-free alternatives. They are out there - but too few people are looking for them.

What is your personal position on the use of animals in scientific investigation?

Well obviously I'm against it. Everyone at FRAME would prefer it if animals tests were not necessary. At the moment, unfortunately, there are no alternatives to some tests and people still have the right to know that drugs and other products are as safe as possible to use.

What is the best way to disseminate science in the mass media?

All scientists need to realise that the general public have a limited scietific vocabulary and try to speak in more simple terms. Most people would understand more (and be more supportive) if the jargon was strictly reduced!

If you could give just one piece of advice to beginning researchers, what would it be?

Don't go for the obvious. The big names that everyone remembers were the ones who didn't follow the herd but thought along new lines.