MS (multiple sclerose)

 

I first heard of multiple sclerosis (MS) when doing my PhD at Latrobe University in Melbourne, Australia. At that time, 30 years ago, I was a biochemist studying possible mechanisms involved in the degradation of myelin, the sheath that envelops nerves. MS is a devastating chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system where myelin is attacked by cells of the patient’s own immune system, which leads to its degradation and degeneration of the “demyelinated” nerves. It affects young people and can progress through to severe neurological impairment and paralysis. 

There are two main forms or phases in MS, one, termed “relapsing-remitting” where the patients recuperate between bouts of the disease, and the other with progressive worsening of the neurological symptoms. There is no cure for MS and, until about 20 years ago, there were not many treatment choices that could alleviate the symptoms and/or slow down the deterioration.

From the very beginning of my research career, I have worked with animal models of MS, first in rats and then in mice when, a few years after my PhD I went to work at the Weizmann Institute of Science, an international research institute in Israel. There we developed a new mouse model for MS that was to become the model used throughout the world for chronic progressive MS. In the past twenty-five years, I have seen the emergence of several new therapeutics that can significantly alleviate disease burden for MS patients, even if they are not actual cures (and several more promising novel therapies are currently under development). All of these were first elaborated on the basis of in vitro observations and subsequently developed in the animal models. Without animal models, we would not have had the knowledge we have acquired on the immunological and pathological aspect of MS that has led to the generation of targeted therapies.

I have worked on MS research in many countries around the world, always with the view that our observations in vitro must be per force validated  in the animal model. I shall continue to defend the use of the relevant animal models in MS research and ensure that my students have the necessary knowledge to choose the appropriate model. In all institutions I have worked, from Australia, USA, Israel New Zealand and several European countries, the animal ethics have been extremely stringent, as essential to ensure the best treatment for the animals by trained researchers. I do not believe that we would have the knowledge and therapeutic tools for MS that we have now without using different animal models, especially those developed in mice.

Dr Nicole Kerlero De Rosbo (foto)

http://speakingofresearch.com/2013/09/24/syr-animal-research-and-ms/#comment-17079

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Antwoord

Dear Madam,

Your contribution makes clear, in all its shortness, that you never have paid attention to the subject of vivisection seriously. It doesn’t simply interest you.

You write e.g.: “I do not believe that we would have the knowledge and therapeutic tools for MS that we have now without using different animal models, especially those developed in mice.”

This mere belief is what you and persons like you are repeating over and over again. It is NOT an argument.
I could argue in the same mode that my belief is the opposite: without vivisection we ‘d have made more and faster progress.
Patients are not mice after all.
And on top of that: we ‘d have a more decent society.

What should I think of a person who is not hesitating to torture living beings to death?
Do you really think, even for a second, that these human beings deserve respect?!

I am pretty sure that you are convinced of the fact that in the name of research there are no limits whatsoever. In that case Society should correct you and limit your activities. In fact you should be banned from any medical research.