Rat Trap: The capture of medicine by animal research - and how to break free

Dr Pandora Pound, Research Director at Safer Medicines Trust, destroys the case for animal research in her book "Rat Trap," showing how it is an obsolete and harmful practice that is hindering medical progress. She presents compelling evidence for abandoning animal models and highlights the awe-inspiring technologies that could revolutionize medicine if they were not limited by animal research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Dr Pandora Pound, Research Director at Safer Medicines Trust, presents a compelling argument against animal research, effectively ending the 150-year-old debate on its value. Instead of focusing on animal suffering, she presents a scientific account of how the practice became established, highlighting its historical roots. Pound then meticulously exposes the futility and poor quality of most animal studies, emphasizing the need to shift towards alternative methods.

Medical progress is hindered by an outdated and harmful practice, but Pound showcases the remarkable technologies, both old and new, that could revolutionize medicine if they were liberated from the constraints of animal research. Rat Trap debunks the numerous myths surrounding animal research and demonstrates that it is not a necessary evil but rather one of the most critical and urgent scientific issues of our time.

Dr James Le Fanu, a doctor and columnist for the Daily Telegraph, praises the book as a superb analysis of the limitations and pitfalls associated with using animals in medical research. He describes it as lucidly written and highly recommended.

Dr Ricardo Blaug, a political scientist and author of How Power Corrupts, also commends the book for its beautifully written arguments and its potential to make a significant difference in the world.

In 2004, Dr Pandora Pound authored the landmark study "Where is the evidence that animal research benefits humans?" published in the prestigious British Medical Journal. This study provoked a storm of controversy and led to a series of scientific studies that revealed the startling unreliability of animals as models for human health and disease. Pound's work transformed the debate on animal experiments, leading to a growing movement for alternatives and a greater emphasis on the importance of human-based research.

While animal research has played a significant role in scientific discovery and medical progress, it is increasingly recognized that alternative methods, such as computer simulations, tissue engineering, and human volunteers, offer more reliable and ethical solutions. The use of animals in research has been criticized for its high cost, ethical concerns, and limited relevance to human health. Animals used in research may suffer physical and psychological harm, and their lives may be shortened or altered in ways that cannot be fully understood or replicated.

Furthermore, the results of animal studies may not always translate to humans, leading to false assumptions and potentially harmful treatments. For example, many drugs that are tested on animals fail to demonstrate efficacy or safety in humans, wasting valuable resources and potentially harming patients.

In conclusion, the case against animal research is compelling and growing. While animal research has contributed to scientific knowledge and medical progress, it is an outdated and harmful practice that should be replaced with more reliable and ethical alternatives. The time has come for scientists, policymakers, and the public to embrace these alternatives and work towards a future where medical research is conducted without the use of animals.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805140528