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A Newsletter Exploring
Biomedical Research Issues For Middle & High School Educators
Vol. 1, Issue 6, Fall 2003

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Animals in Toxicology Research

Many drugs are designed to benefit patients with cardiovascular disease. However, did you know that some drugs can produce inadvertent adverse effects on heart function? The antihistamine terfenadine (Seldane) produced severe changes on heart function (arrhythmias) in a small number of people, and even resulted in deaths. This drug was subsequently removed from the US market in 1998. Since that time, it has become routine to evaluate the cardiovascular safety of new, experimental drugs in animals prior to testing in man. Dogs are commonly used for this purpose, because functions of the dog heart are similar to humans and have been studied extensively. In these studies, experimental drugs are given to dogs and heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac rhythm are measured and evaluated. This is just one example of the vital role that animal research plays for ensuring safety of pharmaceuticals.

Fast Facts . . .

WHAT IS TOXICOLOGY?
Toxicology is the science that studies the effects of drugs, environmental contaminants, and naturally occurring substances found in food, water, air and soil and the use of that information to predict safe exposure levels. Toxicology is important to protect human and animal health and the environment.

WHO WAS PARACELSUS?
Paracelsus was a Swiss physician and alchemist, and the father of modern toxicology, who lived from 1493 - 1541. He is most remembered for the following fundamental principle: "What is it that is not poison? All things are poison and nothing is without poison. It is only the dose that makes a thing not a poison." Or, as your mother might say, "All things in moderation, dear."

SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGY (SOT)
SOT has a very informative website offering excellent materials and public outreach programs, including Paracelsus Goes to the Classroom workshops for K - 12 educators. Check it out at: www.toxicology.org

CALL FOR ENTRIES

It's time again for all Michigan students grades 6 - 12 to submit their entries for the Michigan Society for Medical Research (MISMR) Annual Essay Contest for 2006. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, and the demonstration that an extra effort was made to learn about biomedical research and why animals are used. Cash prizes will be awarded to the student winners and the finalist's teacher. More detailed information about the contest can found on the MISMR website www.mismr.org.

DEADLINE: December 15, 2005

BioFocus
Biofocus is published by the Michigan Society for Medical Research. Please send your questions, comments, and suggestions to:

MISMR
P.O. Box 3237
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3237
Voice: (734) 763-8029
Fax: (734) 930-1568
Email: MISMR@umich.edu

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