Post by Brooke on Jan 21, 2004 19:12:55 GMT -5
Tufts says dog study OK'd by inspectors
By Jack Meyers
Thursday, January 1, 2004
Tufts veterinary school officials yesterday said a research study in which several dogs' legs were deliberately broken was fully inspected by state and federal officials, who found no violations earlier this week.
Nevertheless, a group of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate students is vowing to protect the five dogs, who are scheduled to be put to death this week.
``Regardless of the inspections . . . the experiment is unjustified,'' said Dana Zenko, 29, a Tufts graduate student. ``They are killing five dogs to test a way to make a dog's broken leg heal better. Clinical studies have already proven this.''
The research is being led by Tufts professor Randy J. Boudrieau to test a new method of healing broken bones.
This fall, Boudrieau broke both back legs of six dogs. One dog died after the operation. The five remaining dogs will be euthanized and the healed bones examined under a microscope to compare techniques of treating broken bones.
The crippling of the five dogs, which were bred for research purposes, was first reported in yesterday's Herald.
Zenko said she and the others fighting for the dogs have received a huge outpouring of support.
Dr. Angie Warner, associate dean at the Tufts Veterinary School, said officials are continuing to talk with students about concerns. A forum on research ethics is scheduled for next week, she said. But there are no plans to alter the research on the dogs, she said.
``We feel there's a significant benefit to be gained by many dogs and many veterinarians'' in improving techniques to heal broken bones, Warner said.
By Jack Meyers
Thursday, January 1, 2004
Tufts veterinary school officials yesterday said a research study in which several dogs' legs were deliberately broken was fully inspected by state and federal officials, who found no violations earlier this week.
Nevertheless, a group of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate students is vowing to protect the five dogs, who are scheduled to be put to death this week.
``Regardless of the inspections . . . the experiment is unjustified,'' said Dana Zenko, 29, a Tufts graduate student. ``They are killing five dogs to test a way to make a dog's broken leg heal better. Clinical studies have already proven this.''
The research is being led by Tufts professor Randy J. Boudrieau to test a new method of healing broken bones.
This fall, Boudrieau broke both back legs of six dogs. One dog died after the operation. The five remaining dogs will be euthanized and the healed bones examined under a microscope to compare techniques of treating broken bones.
The crippling of the five dogs, which were bred for research purposes, was first reported in yesterday's Herald.
Zenko said she and the others fighting for the dogs have received a huge outpouring of support.
Dr. Angie Warner, associate dean at the Tufts Veterinary School, said officials are continuing to talk with students about concerns. A forum on research ethics is scheduled for next week, she said. But there are no plans to alter the research on the dogs, she said.
``We feel there's a significant benefit to be gained by many dogs and many veterinarians'' in improving techniques to heal broken bones, Warner said.