Animals are indispensable for brain research – opinion article

An opinion article in the German newspaper Die Zeit by Olivia Masseck, a professor at the University of Cologne, provides an overview on why animals are needed in basic brain research and argues that a complete ban of animal use in research would risk progress in medicine. 

Olivia deconstructs the argument that basic research is superfluous, due to not having an immediate application, by sharing how basic research provides an understanding of the processes behind behaviour, health and disease. Without this knowledge, therapies such as vaccines, pain or cancer medication wouldn’t be available.  

Using the brain as an example, the researcher explains how the discovery of different types of cells has resulted in potential new therapies and highlights areas in which knowledge is still limited, such as consciousness or the influence of stress – areas that still require a living organism for study. 

Besides hindering science and medicine, she also raises the point that a complete ban on the use of animals in research, which is tightly regulated in Europe, could simply drive studies to other countries. Ending the article, Olivia highlights the importance of dialogue and openness to engage the public and politicians in science.