Animal Models in Light of Evolution [Paperback]

Niall Shanks (Author), C. Ray Greek (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1599425025 | ISBN-13: 978-1599425023 | Publication Date: August 30, 2009

The central concern of this book is with the "prediction problem" in biomedical research. In particular, the authors examine the use of animal models to predict human responses in drug and disease research. The arguments discussed are drawn from both biological and biomedical theory (with numerous examples and case studies drawn from evolutionary biology, complex systems theory, oncology, teratology, and AIDS research), and analyses of empirical evidence (concerning, for example, data on intra- and inter-species differences revealed by recent results from genome analyses of various species, human population studies, and statistical studies of the predictive utility of animal models). This book comes to the unique conclusion that while animals can be successfully used for many endeavors in science such as basic and comparative research, they cannot be used to predict drug and disease response in humans. The arguments presented are rooted in the history, philosophy, and methodology of biomedical research. This book will be of interest to anyone involved, directly or indirectly, in biomedical research (including physicians, veterinarians and scientists), and anyone interested in the history, philosophy and methodology of science. In contrast to books written by and for the animal rights movement and books written by and for the animal-based research industry, this book honestly examines all sides of the scientific arguments for using animals in science and concludes that each group in turn exaggerates the flaws or strengths of using animals. There are areas in science where animals can be viably used but there are also areas where they cannot be so used.

Product Details

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Brown Walker Press (August 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599425025
• ISBN-13: 978-1599425023
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,564,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very convincing and enlightening., October 28, 2009

By 

Kim Drnec (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Animal Models in Light of Evolution (Paperback)

This book addresses the very important and frustrating issue of using animals to predict human response. It is the scientists' version of the authors other book FAQs About the Use of Animals in Science. Most people who use animals in research justify such use by claiming the results from animals will predict human response to drugs and disease. The authors show that this claim is false, as animals cannot predict what a drug will do in humans or how the human body will respond to diseases like HIV/AIDS. It points out that animals can be used to find new facts about species specific biologies, but they cannot predict how humans will respond to drugs or disease. While many books merely list examples where the animal model got it wrong, this book combines theory with the empirical. The first half examines what evolutionary biology and complex systems predict about using one species to predict response from another while the last half examines specific studies and cases. This book will revolutionize the debate about using animals in research and drug testing.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, October 19, 2009

By 

Marc Bekoff (Boulder, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animal Models in Light of Evolution (Paperback)

This is a very important and well argued book that is a must read for all people interested in the use of animals in biomedical research. The authors are very well-known and respected scholars and their arguments must be taken seriously not only to save animals but to save humans.