A Scientific Approach to Improving Animal Research in Biomedicine - Giving Animals a Chance

This book examines animal research conducted with the goal of medical translation to humans. It is written by Dr. Bradley Weiner, a surgeon who is active at a high level clinically and in biomedical research. After documenting that the vast majority of biomedical animal research fails to result in benefits to humans via translation, the book examines the sources of such failure; including the failure to justify the use of animals, the failure to properly apply scientific methods, the failure to perform the research properly in the lab, the failure to consider the possibility of translation a priori, and systematic sources of failure built into the biomedical research enterprise. The book then explores options to improve the situation, for the benefit of both the animals and humans.

Bradley Weiner, MD is Professor, Vice Chairman (Academics), Founding Residency Program Director, Chief of Spinal Surgery, and Medical Director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. Dr. Weiner established a laboratory at Houston Methodist in 2009 with the aim of using cutting edge basic science technologies (i.e., nanotech and polymers) in novel ways to address surgical problems. The lab has obtained funding and grants nearing $20M over the past twelve years, including grants from DARPA and the Department of Defense. Translational animal research is a main portion of the research carried out in the lab.
Dr. Weiner has also served for a decade as founding Deputy Editor for Evidence and Methods at the top rated journal in his field; served as an international editor for the back and neck group of Cochrane; serve as long-term Chair of Business Practices at his home institution, working with IRBs, IACUC, conflicts of interest, etc. His undergraduate degree is in Philosophy (Analytic) and, over the years, he has published multiple articles, given lectures on medical-philosophical issues that have included discussions on the profit motive in medicine, access to care, the impact of medical diagnoses, the biopsychosocial model, as well as other subjects.