By Megan, Junior , Sabino High School, Tucson

Often, the effect of medical research on animals is not distinctly apparent until the results are beneficial in one’s own frightening life experience. In can then be more clear that this researches crucial for the benefit of mankind. In my case, learning that I had primary tuberculosis later brought me an acute awareness of the importance of animal research.

The tuberculin skin test I tested positive from, the chest X-ray that assured I had no lung lesions, and the isoniazid pills prescribed to me each were possible after necessary information was acquired directly or indirectly through biomedical animal research.

After getting the standard PPD (purified protein derivative) tuberculin skin test at my annual physical, the results wee found to be positive. I was diagnosed with having primary tuberculosis, which meant that I had an inactive presence of a tuberculosis infection. Without the skin test, the doctors would not have been able to determine if I was infected.

However, in the late 1800's, tests by scientist Robert Koch, involving animal research, led to the detection of the tubercle bacillus organism and then of the tuberculin skin test. Guinea pigs were employed in research projects in order to determine the appropriate safe strength of the tuberculin antigen used to scratch the skin with. Several dilutions were injected into different guinea pigs, and they were observed for side-effects and health problems.

As a result of this significant animal research, the standard skin test dose strength was determined to be .1 ml of 5TU (tuberculin units). This discovery was of great importance to me, since without it, I an not sure if the tuberculosis in my body would have otherwise been detected early. Yet, the studies used to acquire the skin test were not the only use of medical research with animals.

Subsequent to my positive tuberculin skin test, I was sent to get a chest X-ray to check for lung lesions. Because there were no long lesions, it was determined that the tuberculosis was nonprogressive. These results were a relief. It was interesting to learn that biomedical research on various animals had played a vital part in determining safe levels of radiation so that humans were not greatly damaged when getting X-rays. This safety gave me a feeling of comfort under rather tense circumstances, and I was thankful that there was not a large threat of radiation damage.

To treat the tuberculosis, doctors prescribed the antibiotic isoniazid to me. Mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs wee used at pharmaceutical laboratories in development of this drug to determine many safety aspects, including symptoms and treatment of over dosage, adverse reactions, resistance, and when contraindications are produced. For example, pulmonary tumors were reported to be induced by this drug in strains of mice. That is a very substantial piece of information, and only one of many gained through animal research.

Many people are of the opinion that medical research using animals is unimportant and unnecessary. Still, in order to save human lives, medical and biological knowledge has to be increased, and animals are the most efficient way of doing this. Techniques and substances must be first researched and tested instead of being utilized unsafely by humans, Plus, animals can resemble humans in physiology, structure, and behavior; likewise, the short life span of various animals allows researchers to continue experiments over many generations to attain the greatest understanding.

I am eternally grateful that animal research has brought such effective methods in combating tuberculosis, for I might not be here today in such good health if animals did not stand as such beneficial means in gaining a good end product of well-being. If saving human lives is an important doctrine, then animals are an imperative part of the research process.

Follow Up Essay:  Megan, Junior, Sabino High School, Tucson

Interning In A Cytogenetics Laboratory

As a result of wining the Tucson-area SwAEBR essay contest, I had the opportunity to participate in a summer internship at the Cytogenetics Laboratory at University Medical Center. I did not know what to expect, what I would be doing, or who I would be working with. However, I set foot in the lab with an open mind and came back with a whole new outlook on science.

Cytogenetics is the study that links chromosome aberrations with pathological conditions. Because DNA is tightly wound to form chromosomes, the access to this set of genetic information is extremely useful. For example, in this clinical situation, chromosomes are analyzed to determine if they contain abnormalities. Chromosome analysis may present information to help diagnose various congenital or prenatal abnormalities and even some types of cancer. Most commonly, chromosome analysis is performed on specimens of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, bone marrow, skin, and blood.

As a summer project, I was assigned to follow through in performing the entire process of chromosome analysis on my own blood. It was a very interesting and involved procedure. After my blood was drawn, it was added to media, and the culture was incubated for three days. After centrifugation, the cells wee mixed with a hypotonic solution to swell them and thus spread out the chromosomes. At the end of another incubation and centrifugation, fix was added to the T-cell lymphocyte pellet. It was repeatedly centrifuged and fixed until and ideal white pellet and supernatant were achieved. Then the cells were pipetted onto slides, and I microscopically analyzed the slides to find good spreads of chromosomes in metaphase. After twenty metaphases were analyzed (to rule out chromosome abnormality) the best spreads were put under the photo microscope and pictures were taken. Following developing and printing, I cut out the chromosomes and learned that I did indeed have a : 46, XX normal female karyotype. However, my chromosome analysis was not the only assignment I accomplished.

I had many other responsibilities as a student in the cytogenetics laboratory. Included in the regular tasks of lab maintenance was bleach making, slide cleaning and filing, pipette stocking, centrifuge cleaning, and many other jobs. Also, I became experienced in the processes of photo microscopy, film developing, and printing. To obtain good chromosome banding and morphology takes practice. In addition, I had the opportunity to lean how to karyotype the printed chromosome spreads. One will eventually memorize the characteristics of each of the 22 homologous pairs and two sex chromosomes as I did.

When one is placed in such and interesting environment and allowed to absorb so much helpful knowledge, it is only natural to have many questions. My internship in the cytogenetics laboratory induced a great deal of pondering; I came to a realization about how little I actually know about the medical field. It was wonderful to see first-hand why biomedical research is so important to mankind.

It was particularly interesting to have the opportunity to observe and be a part of a laboratory in which such important, cutting-edge accomplishments are performed. Interning in a cytogenetics lab is more rewarding than simply reading about it in a book. The many new discoveries make it exciting to take part in a field that necessitates the knowledge of current information. I also did not realized how crucial preparation and quality control are in order to run an efficient and successful laboratory.

Additionally the experience helped me to learn about the importance of the responsibility that can be applied to any professional position. This summer internship was beneficial in so many aspects and has increased my interest in entering a career in science. I am very grateful that the Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research took the time to place me in such an enriching atmosphere, for it was an experience I will never forget.

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