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A Newsletter Exploring
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Founding Father of Laboratory Animal Medicine
There are few people who have had such a profound influence on their profession, and none who have had such an impact on laboratory science and medicine as Bennett J. Cohen, D.V.M., Ph.D. As a young research veterinarian Ben exhibited a keen interest in laboratory animals and their care. In particular he saw how disease, environmental conditions, and stress affected research animals and, thereby, confounded research results. So in 1949 Dr. Cohen and a small group of his colleagues of like-mind founded the Animal Care Panel, an organization now known as the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). As knowledge developed in laboratory animal science, Dr. Cohen saw the need for veterinarians to be more involved in research animal care. Diseases were identified and their influence on research established. In 1957, Dr. Cohen became one of the founding fathers of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, a veterinary specialty board emphasizing the care and use of animals in biomedical research. As a means of supporting the newly formed specialty in veterinary medicine, Dr. Cohen began a training program for veterinarians at UCLA which he later moved to the University of Michigan. After 40 years, this program continues to train veterinarians and has been responsible for training approximately 10 percent of all Diplomats of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. In 1963 Dr. Cohen chaired the national Academy of Science committee that wrote the first edition of The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The Guide, now in its seventh version, is accepted as a primary reference on laboratory animal care and use.
During the mid-1960's Dr. Cohen was instrumental in seeing the need to assure research institutions that facilities and programs were sufficient to control variables related to how animals were maintained and also assure the public that the welfare of laboratory animals was provided for in research. He helped found AAALAC (originally the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care and now known as the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International). This organization is a private nonprofit body that accredits laboratory animal facilities and care through peer review based on The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. In 1981, Dr. Cohen along with Raymond Kahn established the Michigan Society for Medical Research (MISMR) — a nonprofit educational organization concerned with the biological sciences and public health. He was not only the founder of MISMR, but its first president as well. Dr. Cohen passed away in 1990. Looking for a Career?A career in laboratory animal science requires a person who enjoys working with animals and is genuinely concerned for their welfare. Animals must have care seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, so dependability and reliability are important. Is a career in laboratory animal science for you? To find out, answer these questions:
There are a variety of career opportunities within the field of laboratory animal science. There are positions for everyone — from those looking for an entry-level position requiring no college education to those with advanced college degrees. Some examples of positions you may find in this field are: Cage Washers Laboratory Animal Technicians Animal Health Technicians Facility Supervisors / Managers / Directors Clinical Veterinarians A very diverse group of employers await your application! Rewarding positions can be found with any of these potential employers:
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We want to include your stories, comments or questions relating to animals in your classroom in upcoming editions of BioFocus. Please email stories to: mismr@umich.edu MISMR website www.mismr.org.
BioFocus
MISMR page one page two You may download a PDF format of the actual newsletter. |
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MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science. |