The Importance of Animal Experimentation in Biomedical Research by Tasnuva, Catalina Foothills High School

Today some researchers are turning away from animal experimentation and seeking their answers in alternative methods, such as yeast cultures in some cases, even computer modeling. The truth remains, however, that the effectiveness of biomedical research using animals and the answers that they provide is invaluable. For instance, although scientists today have the ability to perform single-gene mutation in yeast, the implication of their research is limited due to the fact that the biological processes in humans are of much higher complexity than that in yeast. For centuries animals have been used as models to provide us with knowledge regarding basic human biological and behavioral processes. Additionally, over the last few decades, animals have been widely used to test new drugs, vaccines and surgical procedures, as well as medical therapies for the prevention and treatment of some of gravest human illnesses. Generally, when we think of the animals that biomedical researchers use, the names of monkeys, mice, rats, and horses often come in mind, but it is important to keep in mind that these are not the only animals being used in biomedical research. In fact, there are unusual animals, such as armadillos, that provide answers to researchers that are just as valuable as those provided by their traditional counterparts.

Few years ago, when my family and I visited Bangladesh, we learned that one of our closest family friends was suffering from leprosy. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease (named after the physician who discovered its pathogen), is a chronic infectious illness that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Once considered a global, widespread disease, today 95% of leprosy cases occur in just 11 countries, primarily in tropical areas such as India and Bangladesh. If left untreated, leprosy can lead to severe disfigurement of the face, feet and hands. Primary leprosy research leads back to the 1960s and 70s when attempts of scientists to study and develop a vaccine for the disease was thwarted by the fact that the mycobacterium could not be grown in laboratory culture dishes, nor could animals be deliberately infected with the pathogen. Soon afterwards, however, researchers discovered that a large amount of the bacteria could grow in the nine-banded armadillo. Using the armadillo as an animal model, scientists were able to extract leprosy bacteria from the infected animals for study in the laboratory. Thus, researchers were able to not only prepare lepromin, a substance that would allow for the early detection of the disease in an individual and a possible course of treatment, but also create antileprosy drugs such as treatment for the millions of patients suffering from the disease. In 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 10 to 15 million leprosy cases worldwide. Thanks to the research for treatment achieved through animal experimentation, by 2000, the number of cases was significantly reduced to an estimated 1.6 million worldwide.

Armadillos are just one example of how animal experimentation in biomedical research has improved the lives of many, whether it be our loved ones or not. Currently, one of the most crucial areas in which animal testing is being used in is cancer research. Today, the majority of Americans support animal testing because of its potentials to identify carcinogens, which could lead to a reduction of cancer prevalence, as well as to develop more effective chemotherapy treatment. Animals can provide insights and knowledge regarding carcinogens and biological behavior of cancerous cells that can be related back to human cancer patients without risking their lives. Mice, for example, are commonly used as animal models in cancer research because of the common characteristics they share with humans in regards to the types of cancers that may develop in both species, as well as the genes involved in the process. By experimenting with mice, scientists are able to improve upon and develop new chemotherapeutic agents, which are currently being used to prolong the lives of gratified cancer patients worldwide. The continuing research using animal testing may someday even lead to the development of a cure for cancer-one of the deadliest enemy humanity has ever seen.

The answers that scientists have provided to the medical community through their animal testing research are priceless. The number of lives they have saved and those they have touched are countless. Animal experimentation in medical and biological sciences is not merely an option; it is a duty that must be carried out-a duty to fulfill the promises of a better, healthier life to the millions of people worldwide suffering from terrible diseases.

Follow up essay - Tasnuva, Internship at University of Arizona

This summer I was very fortunate to have a chance to expand my understanding of biomedical research through the opportunity given to me by SwAEBR. I was very excited when I first found out about the SwAEBR essay contest and the possibility of a summer internship at a research laboratory. Few programs in Tucson offer such an outstanding opportunity to high school students, thus when I found out, I knew I had to try. Month after sending in my essay to SwAEBR, I was anxious to know if I had won. I wanted to do something meaningful with my summer—not just take orders in a restaurant or sit around the house doing nothing—I wanted to learn. Thankfully, S wAEBR gave me that tremendous opportunity.

For the past two months I have worked at the research laboratory of Dr. Daniel Stamer in the Department of Ophthalmology at the U of A. It was a wonderful learning experience that allowed me to conduct my own research. I was not simply helping other researchers at the lab with their experiments—I was conducting my own experiments to find the explanations to the questions Dr. Stamer and I set out to answer for my project. The objective of my project was to analyze the expression of F-actin and VE-cadherins (calcium-dependent glycoproteins that serve as receptors in cell-cell adhesion) in cells of a region in the eye known as the Schlemm’s Canal. For the last two months I have conducted experiments, mainly through immunofluorescence staining and microscopy on filters with Schlemm’s Canal cells, to find the answers to our questions.

Although I have merely begun the research on this project and so much more experiments need to be conducted in order to answer all our questions, I know the research that I have done this summer has laid out the foundation and basis for future experiments. Not all my questions were answered but I have a lot more answers now than I did in the beginning of the summer. Besides, science is all about questions—after all, if we ran out of all our questions, what would we do with our time?

I am grateful to SwAEBR for giving me this extraordinary learning experience. I cherish the knowledge that I have gained this summer and I know that it will invaluable to me in the future. I would also like to thank Dr. Stamer and everyone in his lab, especially Kristin and Emely, for being patient with me and never wavering to answer my questions.

Anna’s Disease: Idiopathic Thromocytopenic Purpura by Philip, Canyon Del Oro High School

The sound of a sneeze ricocheting in the hallway fills the air. Tiny (microscopic) droplets of saliva, mucous, and virus become a projectile spray shooting at speeds exceeding 100 miles an hour. An innocent nose breathes the surrounding air allowing the "seed" virus to be implanted. The new host awakens the next day with joints that ache, but only for a day. The body’s defense mechanism has been activated. The immune system kills the virus, tagging used fighter components with antibodies, thus triggering removal of this debris by the spleen. The cycle of infection and healing has completed the full circle of the immune system to its final destination of health...or has it?

What if the self-regulating mechanism doesn’t stop? What if the immune system goes into hyper drive and doesn’t shut down? What if every platelet, not just the ones used in the battle, are tagged with antibodies and removed from the body by the spleen during circulation? This phenomenon is what happened to my sister, Anna. A one-day virus left her with an illness that has been labeled ITP, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Idiopathic means the etiology (cause) is unknown. Though unproved, some think the ITP mechanism is triggered by a viral infection occurring approximately two weeks prior to any major signs and symptoms. Thrombocytopenic indicates the loss of platelets, the healing components in blood, and Purpura relates to the purplish "bruises" on the skin and mucosa from leaking red blood cells. Anna’s "bruises" enlarged so much over a 24-hour period of time that she was questioned at her preschool about possible physical abuse. On admission to the hospital day, Anna had only 1,000 platelets (normal is between 150,000 and 400,000). Any trauma, even blunt, could have potentially caused her to bleed to death.

Because it is only hypothesized what causes ITP, there is no definitive "cure" for it. Initial treatment, an IV drip of Immunoglobulin G, raised Anna’s platelet count to 14,000, still in the crisis zone with everyone hoping her own body would take over. Two days later, she was back in the hospital with major bruising and only 1,000 platelets again.

Dexamethasone was the next weapon. However, Anna’s platelets rose insignificantly then abruptly fell. As she was slowly weaned off this drug she went through the medical complications of hair loss, weight gain, hump back, and periods of rage, which in Anna’s case included psychotic episodes where her eyes rolled back in their sockets as she went into convulsions.

Two options remained. In one, Anna’s spleen could be removed with a 60% success rate. However, the removal before age 5 severely compromises future immune responses. Anna was only 3 ½ years old and her weakened condition made this an unreasonable choice.

The only hope left was WinRho. Though a human body derivative, it was initially tested on mice and observations showed no physiological or behavioral "side effects." Although successful in the adolescent (teenage) patients, it had never been used for a child as young as Anna and its major adverse reaction were anaphylactic shock and death. Finally, here, Anna was able to gain significant amounts of platelets as well as being able to "hold on to" them for periods of time. Many IV infusions later, Anna now has a normal amount of platelets and has been considered to be in remission for the past four years.

How has this affected my life? Well, I am no longer being dropped off at the last minute for a sleepover on a school night because my parents are rushing my sister off to the hospital. Anna is no longer a raging aggressive munchkin on steroids so getting along with her is easier (but adolescent hormones seem to be returning her to a shadow of her former self at times). We can take vacations away from locations where there are hospitals that deal with severe blood disorders. Best of all, we can just be a normal family where the older and younger siblings alternately terrorize then play ball with each other. Turns out Anna has a great shot in basketball and a surefire pitching arm. I am also very grateful to Drs. Hutter, Whitesell, and Graham for their care, experience, and expertise in dealing with the art of science. Without their research and the benefit of animal testing, my sister may never have survived her battle.

Due to a very full and impressive summer schedule of work, school and projects Philip chose to take the cash option.