FBR Blog
Easy-to-read articles about animal testing and research.
The First FDA-Approved Ebola Vaccine: Another Animal Research Victory
On Thursday, December 19, 2019, the FDA announced the approval of Ervebo, the first FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of the Ebola virus disease. The new vaccine protects against the Zaire species of Ebola virus, which is responsible for more than 11,000 deaths...
The Flu Vaccine: Another Animal Research Victory
It’s that time of year again where the threat of the flu hangs in the air and people scramble to their local pharmacies to get their annual flu shot. Did you know this life-saving vaccine was created thanks to animal research? In 1918 and 1919, the Spanish Influenza...
FBR Salutes this Year’s Lasker Award Winners
Since its beginning in 1945, the Lasker Awards has been a prestigious achievement that recognizes those who have contributed to breakthrough biological discoveries, clinical research and improvements in human health. The 2019 Lasker Awards were focused on the world of...
Four Major Health Risks for Women and Animal Research’s Role in Treatments
Last summer, we compiled a list of the four major health risks for men and animal research’s vital role in treating them. Now we want to share with you how animal research has helped treat the top four major health risks for women. These four health risks are some...
Who will Survive?
Are you a big fan of “Game of Thrones” (GOT)? The final season of the hit HBO series is on its last episode and most faithful watchers are on the edge of their seats to see who will FINALLY be seated on the Iron Throne. Based on a series of fantasy novels called “A...
Mice in Space
In 2014, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Rodent Research Project to study mice in space with the goal to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body. Using mice in space has helped researchers discover numerous...
Animal Research and the Fight Against Malaria
On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced what could be the world's first malaria vaccine as part of a large-scale trial project in several countries. The vaccine known as RTS, S will be given to approximately 360,000 children up to two...
Animal Research Aids in War Against Ebola
Eight months ago, an outbreak of Ebola was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) North Kivu province and the disease has now spread to the city of Bunia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO). Ebola is a rare and highly infectious virus,...
Why Animal Research? For Tyler Trent
In early January 2019, a 20-year-old former Purdue student and cancer survivor named Tyler Trent lost his years-long battle with osteosarcoma. Three times he faced the disease head-on fighting to the end with the determination of a champion. A devoted fan of his...
On the cutting edge of canine cancer research
“I just got the biopsy results back, and my little girl has an adrenal sarcoma,” wrote the owner of an 11-year-old Shih Tzu in an online support group for people whose pets have been diagnosed with cancer. “I'm so scared—for her and for myself. She's my baby, my best...
Animal Rights Groups Say the Porsolt Swim Test is Unnecessary. But is it?
Image depicts a rodent swimming in a natural setting. With more than 300 million people living with depression worldwide, pressure is mounting to find treatments and drugs that will help patients. However, with limited knowledge about the underlying causes of...
Would This Nobel Prize Have Been Awarded Without Mice?
The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to American immunologist Jim Allison and Japanese immunologist Tasuku Honjo “for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.” The award honors researchers for outstanding...
Measles outbreak in United States and Europe: The dangerous result of science-denial
The measles virus is untreatable. In about 30 percent of affected patients, many of whom are infants and children, complications can lead to blindness, as well as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain—both of which are potentially fatal. Despite the availability of...
With monkeys, researchers make progress in the search for a vaccine against HIV
The 2018 International AIDS Conference is underway from July 23 to 27, right on the heels of some exciting developments in the research world. A pair of new studies with non-human primates and people found an experimental HIV vaccine could potentially offer lifelong...
National HIV Testing Day: Animal Research’s Role in Treatment
National HIV Testing Day is Wednesday, June 27 and we’re taking a look back to see all the progress that’s been made with HIV testing and treatment and the advancements yet to come. In 1984, French and American scientists discovered that a retrovirus (HIV—Human...
Keeping Up with Psoriasis
In July 2011, Keeping Up with The Kardashians, a reality TV show, released a video that surprised fans. Kim Kardashian was diagnosed with psoriasis, a skin condition she shares with her “mom-ager,” Kris Jenner. Since her diagnosis, Kim has tried a variety of remedies...
Four of the Biggest Health Risks Men Face and Animal Research’s Role in Treatments
Today, the United States and other countries around the world are celebrating Father's Day. In recognition of all the men (fathers and nonfathers alike) in our lives, we have compiled a list of the four biggest health risks for men and the many ways animal research is...
Animal Research Offers Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Patients Like Senator Harry Reid
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid underwent surgery May 14 to excise a tumor from his pancreas, which was discovered during a routine screening. The veteran lawmaker’s surgeons are positive about his prognosis, and he will soon receive chemotherapy...